Prepotential depolarization

Definition

Prepotential depolarization is the gradual increase in the electrical charge of cardiac pacemaker cells, which brings them to the threshold required to generate a heartbeat. This process ensures the heart beats at a regular pace without external stimuli.

Related terms

Action Potential:

An action potential is a rapid rise and subsequent fall in voltage or membrane potential across a cellular membrane, creating an electrical impulse that propagates along the cell.

Pacemaker Cells:

Pacemaker cells are specialized cardiac cells that naturally generate and propagate electrical impulses, thus setting the rhythm of heart contractions.

Cardiac Cycle:

The cardiac cycle involves all events related to the flow of blood through the heart during one complete heartbeat, including both contraction and relaxation phases