Question

b. List two functions of the AV node 12-3 c. Describe the effect if the atria were to contract at the same time as the ventricles, or if the ventricles contracted slightly before the atria.

Answer 1

Functions of A-V node:

1.A-V node transmits the electrical signal from the atria into the ventricles.This allows the atria to finish contarcting before ventricles start.

2.It also has a secondary pacemaker function and takes over this role if there is any problem with SA node itself,or with transmission of impulses from the atria.

if the atria contract along with ventricles there will be decreased amount of blood filling ventricles; decreases the amount of blood leaving and entering the heart. And if the ventricles contract slightly before atria there will be decreased amount of blood filling ventricles; some blood remaining in atrium