Effect of Ions on the Rate of Heartbeat

Sodium, Potassium and Calcium

required to maintain the body's normal

health.
any imbalance between them can cause

serious problems
The heart is an organ that is particularly

vulnerable to changes in the ratios of

these elements in the blood.
known as electrolytes because once

released from a bound state, they

become ions in a water environment.
Electrolytes are able to conduct
electricity.

Totally pith a frog

Open the Ventral side of the
body
Remove Pericardium
Lift and cut the blood vessels
above the heart
Excised Heart

Calculate average for the 3 trials

Repeat for 3 trials
Record Heart rate

100 mL beaker
30 mL Ringers Solution
Swirl
Fresh Ringers Solution

30 ml Ion Solution
Transfer
Record Heart rate

Perform the procedures

using these solutions:
0.6% sodium chloride
0.15% potassium chloride
0.012% calcium chloride

 0.6% sodium chloride

Trials

Ringers Solution (beats per Sodium Chloride (beats per

minute)
minute)

63

54

63

63

63

66

Average

63

61

 0.15% potassium chloride

Trials

Ringers Solution (beats per

minute)

Potassium chloride (beats

per minute)

86

74

57

23

38

12*

Average

60

36

 0.012% calcium chloride

Trials

Ringers Solution (beats per Calcium chloride (beats per

minute)
minute)

88

74

83

66

77

65

Average

83

68

 heart muscle cells depend on minute regulated electrical impulses that are created

when charged atoms -- or ions -- pass through complex molecular channels inside
and between cells
one litre of Ringers Lactate solution contains:
130 mEq of sodium ion = 130 mmol/L
109 mEq of chloride ion = 109 mmol/L

28 mEq of lactate = 28 mmol/L

4 mEq of potassium ion = 4 mmol/L
3 mEq of calcium ion = 1.5 mmol/L

 Theoretical Result

 The fluids perfusing the heart must contain a proper balance of the three essential ions
the heart is able to maintain its normal contracti1ity for hours in an oxygenated

environment
excess of potassium ions in the fluids perfusing the heart causes the heart to become
dilated and slows the heart rate. Too much increase in potassium ions may completely
block conduction of impulse from atria to ventricles through AV bundle and may stop heart
during diastole.
excess sodium ions depresses cardiac function like potassium ions excess but for an
entirely different reason. Sodium ions compete with the calcium ions at the same point in
the excitatory or contractile process of the heart muscle in such a way that greater the
sodium ions concentration in the fluids perfusing the heart, the less the effectiveness of
calcium ions in causing contraction.
calcium ions in the fluids enhance myocardial contractility When large amount of calcium
ions are infused into the experimental animals, the heart relaxes less during diastole and
eventually stops in systole (calcium rigor). A deficiency of calcium ions causes cardiac
flaccidity.

 Hypernatremia
excess sodium levels in the blood in relation to water
Caused by lack or little water intake or loss of water due to diarrhea and/or vomiting.

Hyponatremia
This occurs when there is an increase in the amount of body water in relation to sodium.
This occurs with diseases of the liver, kidney, burn victims and those who suffer from

congestive heart failure and other conditions.

Hyperkalemia
An abnormal increase in potassium
disorders that decrease the function of the kidneys can result in hyperkalemia

Hypokalemia
decrease in potassium
occur due to kidney disease, diarrhea, eating disorders, heavy sweating, prescription

drugs, vomiting or other causes.

 Hypercalcemia
results from alkalosis, hyperparathyroidism, or hypothyroidism.
causes muscular weakness, depressed reflexes, and cardiac arrhythmia

Hypocalcemia
results from vitamin D deficiency, diarrhea, pregnancy, lactation, acidosis,

hypoparathyroidism, or hyperthyroidism.
increases the sodium permeability of plasma membranes, causing the nervous and muscular
systems to be overly excitable. Tetany occurs.

 The concentrations of these particular ions(K,Na,Ca) within the extracellular

environment may have a significant influence on cardiac function.

Excess sodium ions depress the function of the heart
Excess potassium ions reduces the heart rate as well as strength of contraction

Excess calcium ions cause spastic contraction of the heart

In instances where their concentration becomes excessive or deficient, cardiac

function may be seriously affected or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) could occur.

 http://www.slideshare.net/JenSambo/bio-22-lab-expt-19-group-4. Retrieved October

29, 2014
http://www.drstandley.com/labvalues_electrolyte.shtml. Retrieved October 29, 2014

https://www.inkling.com/read/anatomy-and-physiology-kenneth-saladin-6th/chapter-

24/electrolyte-balance. Retrieved October 29, 2014

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringer's_solution. Retrieved October 29, 2014