Question

Intercalated discs are cell-cell junctions found between cardiac muscle cells. One feature of these intercalated discs is that they contain a large number of gap junctions, which means that _____.

Answer 1

Intercalated discs contain gap junctions and desmosomes within the sarcolemma, allowing electrical coupling and structural integrity for coordinated cardiac muscle contractions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Intercalated discs are specialized structures within the sarcolemma of cardiac muscle cells that facilitate synchronized contraction. They contain a large number of gap junctions, which allow for the passage of depolarizing current produced by cations from one cell to the next. This electrical coupling enables the quick transmission of action potentials across cardiac muscle cells, resulting in the coordinated contraction of the heart muscle, working as a functional unit called a syncytium. Moreover, intercalated discs also consist of desmosomes, which anchor the ends of cardiac muscle fibers to prevent them from pulling apart during contraction, maintaining structural integrity despite the significant forces generated by the heart's action.