The human heart

Discussion in 'Biology & Genetics' started by John99, Dec 20, 2006.

  1. John99 Banned Banned

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    Is the human heart self sufficient, iow what criterium need be met for the organ to remain viable.

    theanks

    edit:aside from blood (lubrication)
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2006
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  3. John99 Banned Banned

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    ah come on, i need to knoiw for an experimenint.
     
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  5. everneo Re-searcher Registered Senior Member

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    when you sober up you would find it is almost viable.
     
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  7. John99 Banned Banned

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    i am sober. lets just say you dont know.

    again,

    does the human heart need any external forces to function?
     
  8. ddovala Pi is exactly 3 Registered Senior Member

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    from my limited understanding, the a-v node provides the chemicals necessary for the beating. The brain can alter the intensity (ie: beating faster when you're running, or scared) -- but is not necessary for basal function.

    The heart does need, however, oxygen to drive metabolism in the cells to generate ATP (necessary to beat). It gets this from the lungs and then through the coronary artery. It also needs glucose for energy, which it would get, indirectly, from the digestive system. I'm sure there are some other chemicals too.
     
  9. everneo Re-searcher Registered Senior Member

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    Apart from heart attack, electric shocks also can stop heart.

    Other way, the stopped heart may be resuscitated by electric shock administered by cardiologists. Pacemakers are also used to stimulate heart electrically. An artificial heart too is a viable alternative.
     
  10. John99 Banned Banned

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    Thanks.

    oxygenated blood supply (or substitute), the SA node and AV node supposedly rely on nervous system but what if conditions are consistent and optimal?

    Minus the presence of sensory stimuli would this render the nervous system obsolete\unessential or does a nervous system need to be present for basic firing rhythms?

    We can eliminate the brain and lungs as necessary (provided an alternative is present to supply oxygen), what about the nervous system? of course the nervous system would be far too complex to replicate.
     
  11. hotsexyangelprincess WMD Registered Senior Member

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    i dont think the SA and AV nodes directly rely on the nervous system for electric impulses, thats why its a myogenic heart. but for guidance i suppose the nervous system would help. you can keep a heart alive and beating in solution, which goes to say it doesnt need the nervous system to function in a basicstate. :m:
     
  12. John99 Banned Banned

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    Yes, i wasnt sure about that. Functioning in a basic state is in fact what my question is based on.
     
  13. hotsexyangelprincess WMD Registered Senior Member

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    ah, well if you just wanted it to sit there and beat for a while, id say you really dont need a nervous system. but what do i know? :m:
     
  14. John99 Banned Banned

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    no not for awhile, more like 60-70 years under optimal conditions.
     
  15. hotsexyangelprincess WMD Registered Senior Member

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    wth are you trying to do? :m:
     
  16. John99 Banned Banned

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    Just wondering about the viability of the human heart as a standalone organ.
     
  17. hotsexyangelprincess WMD Registered Senior Member

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    i heard the brain can survive forever if left in the open. :m:
     
  18. John99 Banned Banned

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    thats cool, a brain transplant would be nice.

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  19. everneo Re-searcher Registered Senior Member

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    Detachable brain and heart is a good thing. If we have a dozen plug-and play-brains and hearts at our shelf, life will be much easier.
     

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