Final answer:
The QRS complex on an electrocardiogram (ECG) represents the depolarization leading to the contraction of the ventricles, which is the primary event causing the heart to contract and pump blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The component of the electrocardiogram (ECG) that causes the heart to contract is the QRS complex. The ECG reflects the electrical activity of the heart and begins with an electrical impulse originating at the sinoatrial node. This impulse first causes atrial contraction, represented by the P wave. The impulse is then delayed at the atrioventricular node before reaching the ventricles. The subsequent ventricular contraction, which pumps blood through the lungs and body, is depicted on the ECG by the QRS complex. The final T wave represents the repolarization of the ventricles, preparing the heart for the next beat.