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November 14, 2011
Calcium & How the Heart Beats
The key to that action is calcium. During the period in which the cell's membrane is charged-- the action potential -- calcium enters the cell. The calcium triggers the release of more calcium from tiny bags -- sarcoplasmic reticulum -- filled with the element. Then, the calcium diffuses to the muscle filaments themselves and causes the actual movement. To relax the heart cells, the extra calcium that came across the cell membrane gets pumped out, and the heartbeat ends. Then, the process happens again and again until you die. -- - Alexis Madrigal - Technology - The Atlantic
Posted by gerardvanderleun at November 14, 2011 9:55 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
And then some!
Posted by: Anonymous at November 14, 2011 10:03 AM