Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

9. Muscle Tissue

Steps of Muscle Contraction

Anatomy & Physiology

9. Muscle Tissue

Steps of Muscle Contraction

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4:24 minutes

Problem 29

Textbook Question

Linda's father suffers an apparent heart attack and is rushed to the emergency room of the local hospital. The doctor on call tells her that he has ordered some blood work and that he will be able to tell if her father actually had a heart attack by looking at the blood levels of CK and cardiac troponin. Why would knowing the level of CK and cardiac troponin help to indicate if a person suffered a heart attack?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of CK (Creatine Kinase) and cardiac troponin in the body: CK is an enzyme found in muscle cells, including the heart, and cardiac troponin is a protein specifically found in heart muscle cells. Both are released into the bloodstream when heart muscle cells are damaged.

Recognize the significance of elevated levels: During a heart attack, the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen, leading to cell damage or death. This damage causes the release of CK and cardiac troponin into the bloodstream, which can be detected through blood tests.

Differentiate between CK and cardiac troponin: CK is found in various types of muscle tissue, so elevated CK levels alone may not definitively indicate a heart attack. Cardiac troponin, however, is specific to heart muscle, making it a more reliable marker for heart damage.

Interpret the blood test results: If the blood test shows elevated levels of cardiac troponin, it strongly suggests that heart muscle damage has occurred, which is consistent with a heart attack. Elevated CK levels can provide additional evidence but are less specific.

Understand the clinical application: Doctors use these biomarkers to confirm or rule out a heart attack, guide treatment decisions, and assess the severity of heart muscle damage. Monitoring these levels over time can also help evaluate recovery and the effectiveness of interventions.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cardiac Biomarkers

Cardiac biomarkers are substances released into the blood when the heart is damaged. Two key biomarkers for diagnosing heart attacks are creatine kinase (CK) and cardiac troponin. Elevated levels of these proteins indicate myocardial injury, helping doctors determine if a heart attack has occurred.

Creatine Kinase (CK)

Creatine kinase is an enzyme found in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscles. When heart muscle cells are damaged, CK is released into the bloodstream. Measuring CK levels can help assess the extent of heart damage, although it is less specific than cardiac troponin for diagnosing heart attacks.

Cardiac Troponin

Cardiac troponin is a protein complex found in heart muscle cells that regulates contraction. It is highly specific to cardiac tissue, and its levels rise significantly after heart damage. Testing for cardiac troponin is a critical tool in emergency medicine for confirming a heart attack diagnosis.

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Describe the events that occur from the time calcium ions enter the axon terminal at the neuromuscular junction until muscle cell contraction occurs.

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After ACh attaches to its receptors at the neuromuscular junction, what is the next step?

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