Cardiac myocytes (contractile cells) have a prolonged action potential including a plateau phase which lasts up...

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Cardiac myocytes (contractile cells) have a prolonged actionpotential including a plateau phase which lasts up to ~250ms. Thisis to enable a longer, sustained contraction so that the ventricleshave time to pump blood out. In order to enable this ‘plateau’phase (Phase 2):

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Slow Na+ channels enable a sustained inwardNa+ current.

Slow K+ channels enable a sustained inwardK+ current, balance with Na+ efflux.

L-type Ca2+ channels enable Ca2+ influxwhich is balanced by a slight K+ efflux.

Only Na+ and K+ are involved in thisaction potential, just like a neuron, only it takes longer for thevoltage-gated K+ channels to open and repolarise thecell.

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Option CLtype Ca2 channels enable Ca2 influx which is balanced by a slight K efflux Phase 2 is the plateau phase of the cardiac action potential A plateau phase occurs during which Ca 2 enters the cytosol of the muscle cell Ca 2 enters from the sarcoplasmic reticulum    See Answer
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