Abstract
All human cells can be considered biological machines surrounded by a membrane bilayer (plasma membrane). The average thickness or diameter of a nonmuscle cell is approx 10–20 µm. The encapsulating membrane is studded with various receptors for hormones or other circulating biochemicals (Fig. 1). The plasma membrane also contains a number of ion-specific pumps and channels. The interior of each cell contains enzymes and organelles specialized to support a wide array of biological functions. Key organelles include the nucleus (contains the genetic blueprint for cellular function), mitochondria (converts various energy sources to adenosine triphosphate, a general energy currency), and the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus (supports protein synthesis) (Fig. 1). Muscle cells are similar in that they use some of these common organelles, but different in that they are specialized to generate force.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
Sources
Berne, R.M. and Levy, M.N. (eds.) (1997) Cardiovascular Physiology, 7th Ed. Mosby, St. Louis, MO (Chapter 2, Electrical Activity of the Heart, pp. 7–54; Chapter 3, The Cardiac Pump, pp. 55–82).
Berne, R.M. and Levy, M.N. (eds.) (1998) Physiology, 4th Ed. Mosby, St. Louis, MO (Chapter 23, The Cardiac Pump, pp. 360–378).
Costanzo, L.S. (1998) Physiology. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA (Chapter 4, Cardiovascular Physiology, pp. 99–162).
Germann, W. and Stanfield, C. (eds.) (2002) Principles of Human Physiology. Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco, CA (Chapter 12, The Cardiovascular System: Cardiac Function, pp. 369–402).
Mohrman, D.E. and Heller, L.J. (eds.) (2003) Cardiovascular Physiology, 5th Ed. Chapter 2, Characteristics of Cardiac Muscle Cells, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, pp. 19–46.
Rhoades, R.A. and Tanner, G.A. (eds.) (1995) Medical Physiology. Little, Brown, Boston, MA (Chapter 10, Cardiac Muscle, pp. 193–206).
Vander, A., Sherman, J., and Luciano, D. (2001) Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function, 8th Ed. McGraw-Hill, Boston, MA (Chapter 14, Section C: The Heart, pp. 387–406).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2005 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Barnett, V.A. (2005). Cardiac Myocytes. In: Iaizzo, P.A. (eds) Handbook of Cardiac Anatomy, Physiology, and Devices. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-835-9_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-835-9_8
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-443-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-835-9
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)