Page 85 - The Miracle of Electricity in the Body

Adnan Oktar (Harun Yahya) 83

The Pacemaker That Regulates the Speed of the

Heartbeat
Production of electricity by the heart cells is not enough by itself.
These cells must first combine in the right sequence, but it is still not
enough for them merely to join together. These cells must produce elec-
tricity together, in a particular rhythm. Each cell must time itself to act
every 0.83 of a second, without fail.
Moreover, cells must carry on their activity for an entire lifetime,

Below, appearance of heart cells
Right, coronary tissue

Heart muscle
fibers
Heart cell
Ion
Receptors
channels
Nuclei

Signal Signal
transmission transmission
Gap between
Every heart cell produces energy cells
that starts the heartbeat in motion.
Each coronary cell acts literally
like a living battery, producing Cell membrane
electricity by means of two ele-
ments found in the blood in large quantities: sodium and potassium. The atoms con-
stituting these elements often lose a negatively charged electron, and thus gain a
positive charge. These charged atoms are known as ions.
Heart cells contain a high level of potassium, and the fluid outside the cells is rich in
sodium. The cell membrane constantly pumps sodium outside the heart muscles and
potassium inside. Since the membrane pumps sodium out faster than potassium is
taken in, a positive charge forms outside the cell. When the charge reaches a partic-
ular level, the flow is suddenly reversed and sodium ions re-enter the cell. This sud-
den change triggers an electrical charge, and the heart cell contracts and withdraws.