Question

What does the statement "All of the fibers in cardiac muscle are anatomically interconnected" mean?

a) Cells can contract independently
b) Cells have their own blood supply
c) Enables coordinated contraction
d) Muscle fibers have variable lengths

Answer 1

The statement indicates that cardiac muscle fibers are connected by intercalated discs, ensuring synchronized contraction of the heart muscle for efficient blood pumping.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement "All of the fibers in cardiac muscle are anatomically interconnected" means that cardiac muscle fibers are extensively branched and connected to one another at their ends by intercalated discs. These discs allow for the synchronized contraction of the heart muscle, which is necessary for the effective pumping of blood throughout the body. Cardiac muscle fibers, composed of cardiomyocytes, form a network that enables rapid transmission of electrical impulses for coordinated contraction. This coordination is crucial as each cardiomyocyte contracts on its own intrinsic rhythm, and without such interconnectedness, the heart's pumping action would not be efficient.