Electrical Phenomena in the Heart (PDF)

Electrical Phenomena in the Heart is a collection of articles that deals with cell physiology and biophysics as applicable to the heart. The book discusses the ultrastructure of heart cells, molecular arrangement of heart cell membranes, and the mechanism involved in sealing and excitation-contraction coupling. The selection describes electrophysiological studies made of embryonic heart cells to understand electrical activity, automaticity, enzyme activities, and the development of intracellular tubular systems. The text also discusses the mechanism of excitation spread between active and inactive cells. The book analyzes the structure of biological membranes and the effect of proteins on membrane potential and on the excitability process. One paper reviews the excitation process of heart cells that includes the use of a voltage clamp in cardiac preparations, as well as the role of the pacemaker. One paper examines the repolarization process involved in cardiac muscle involving the ionic composition and the kinetic properties of membrane currents, as well as the action of some drugs. The book also describes the healing process in cardiac and other muscle fibers when the heart muscle is injured. The text explains that damage to other cardiac muscle can result because of a sealing process that occurs at or near the injured site. The book also explains the model for controlling sarcoplasmic calcium concentration on a single sarcomere level in a mammalian heart. The text can prove significant to students learning heart physiology and biophysics, heart surgeons, and bio-physiologists involved in cellular research.