Tissues and Cells in the Heart (Coursework Sample)

Tissues and Cell in the Heart
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Introduction
The heart is described as a fist-sized organ that is situated below the rib cage almost between the lungs. In humans, it humans, the organ has been divided into four chambers. The top two chambers are called the atria while the other two are called ventricles. It pumps about six quarts of blood per minute. It is, therefore, critical to have specialized tissues and cells that help it to undertake these functions. Chandler (2010) argues that all the cells that are situated in the tissues have a role in the electrical, biochemical, structural and mechanical functions of the heart.
Tissues and Cells in the Heart
The myocardium has specialized muscle cells known as myocytes. They make up a thick muscular layer of tissue called the myocardium. The cells can contract without nerve stimulation. The stimulus to contract originates from the sinus node. Xin et al. (2013) states that the sinus node comprises of specialized cells located in the right atrium. The cells can release electrical impulses that assist in triggering the myocyte cells in the myocardium to contract. Every myocyte cell can contract but for the work to function properly they ought to work as a team. The myocytes have cellular membranes have cellular membranes that come together to form gap junctions. The gap junctions allow the transmission of electrical impulses between cells. It is the gap junction that allows all myocytes in the myocardium to work as a team.
The interior part of the heart chambers is made of endocardium. The tissue also covers the passages that allow blood flow in the chambers of the heart and the heart valves. The cells that are found in this tissue are known as endothelial tissues or the skin cells. These type of cells are flat and form overlapping regions that are used to join blood vessels and seal the heart. They prevent leakages from occurring. They also act as filters that control the entry and exit of specific molecules, fluids, and gasses in the cells. However, Chandler (2010) argues that a recent study conducted at the University of Western Australia, suggests that they also act as interaction sites and receptors to other specialized cells such as the white cells. These functions are very important because they allow the body to recover and heal from damages that may have occurred in the blood vessels and heart tissues.
The pericardium refers to a thin and double-layered sac located at the terminals of blood vessels and the surrounds the heart. The sac has two thin membranes. There is a fluid that is found between the two membranes. Xin et al. (2013) explain that the main function of this tissue is to prevent outside contaminants from...