Final answer:
Pacemaker potentials and slow wave potentials are two types of electrical activity in smooth muscle cells. Pacemaker potentials are spontaneous depolarizations caused by sodium and calcium ion influx, while slow wave potentials are changes in membrane potential that modulate smooth muscle cell responsiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pacemaker potentials and slow wave potentials are both types of electrical activity that occur in smooth muscle cells, but they have some key differences. Pacemaker potentials, also known as autorhythmic potentials, are spontaneous depolarizations that initiate the electrical activity in certain smooth muscle cells. They are caused by a slow influx of sodium ions followed by a rapid influx of calcium ions.
On the other hand, slow wave potentials are changes in resting membrane potential caused by fluctuations in ion conductance. Unlike pacemaker potentials, they do not necessarily lead to action potentials. Instead, they modulate the responsiveness of smooth muscle cells to stimuli from the nervous system.