Skeletal Muscle Can Be Tetanized; Can Heart Muscle Also Be

Question

Skeletal muscle can be tetanized; can heart muscle also be tetanized? Why or why not?
A) No, heart muscle does not show summation and tetanus because of the long refractory period of cardiac muscle cells.
B) Yes, extrasystoles are evidence of tetanus.
C) Yes, all muscle can be tetanized.

Accepted Answer

Heart muscle cannot be tetanized because of its long refractory period, which prevents the summation of contractions. This characteristic is crucial for the heart's function, allowing it to fill with blood properly between contractions.