Groups of cardiac muscle cells adapt their contraction rate to

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Cardiac muscle cells (myocytes) are connected by intercalated discs that allow them to function as a syncytium, meaning they can rapidly conduct action potentials and contract almost simultaneously. The contraction rate of the heart is generally determined by the cells with the fastest intrinsic rhythm, typically the sinoatrial (SA) node cells, because they set the pace for the rest of the heart through electrical signals that propagate to other cardiac cells.

Groups of Cardiac Muscle Cells Adapt Their Contraction Rate to