Multiple choice

Action potentials (electrical impulses) in the heart originate in specialized cardiac muscle cells, called autorhythmic cells. Which among the following statements is incorrect regarding the action potentials and the autorhythmic cells?

  1. The cardiac cycle spreads along both atria through the gap junctions of the cardiac muscle fibers.

  2. At the atrioventricular node slight delay of the electrical transmission occurs.

  3. The bundle of His receives the action potential from the AV node.

  4. The autorhythmic cells serve as a pacemaker to initiate the cardiac cycle.

  5. The bundle of His conducts the action potential from the interventricular septum, down to the apex of the heart.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The Purkinje fibers are large‐diameter fibers that conduct the action potential from the interventricular septum, down to the apex, and then upward through the ventricles.