What are the Functional Properties of Cardiac Tissue?
Cardiac tissue exhibits several key functional properties, including automaticity, rhythmicity, and excitability. Automaticity refers to the ability of certain cells, primarily in the sinoatrial node, to generate spontaneous electrical impulses. Rhythmicity ensures that these impulses occur at regular intervals, maintaining a steady heartbeat. Excitability is the capacity of the cardiac cells to respond to electrical stimuli, which is crucial for coordinated contraction.
