500
Outline the control of the heartbeat in terms of myogenic muscle contraction (5 marks)
Heart can contract by itself. Pacemaker is found in the right atrium known as the sinoatrial node and controls the rate of the heart beat. Excitations causes atria to contract. This excites the atrioventricular node, which sends to ventricles to contract those. Heart rate is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Change in CO2 or adrenaline can be picked up by chemoreceptors in the medulla oblongata, which sends a signal via the vagus nerve to the pacemaker.