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Activity 4.2.

3: EKG
Student Response Sheet
Procedure
Use the websites below to investigate the conduction system of the heart, the
structures that keep the beat. Pay attention to how what is happening in the heart
relates to the electrocardiogram (EKG). Take notes below.
o
McGraw Hill Conducting System of the Heart animation
http://video.about.com/heartdisease/Conduction-System.htm
http://highered.mcgrawhill.com/sites/0072495855/student_view0/chapter22/animation__conducti
ng_system_of_the_heart.html
o
MyHeartCentral.com Intrinsic Conduction System of the Heart
http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/animation-44725-71.html
Notes:

Action potentials pass slowly through the atrioventricular node to give the
atria time to contract

Then they pass rapidly along the strioventricular bundle which extends from
the atrioventricular node through the fibrous skeleton into the interventricular
septum

The atrioventricular bundle divides into the right and left bundle branches and
action potentials descend rapidly to the apex of each ventricule along the
bundle branches

Action potentials are carried by the purkinje fibers from the bundle branches
to the ventricular walls

The rapid conduction form the atriovnetricular bundle to the ends of the
purkinje fibers allows the ventricular muscle cells to contract in unison
providing a strong contraction

The eheart consists of four chambers the right and left atria and the right and
left ventricles.

The heart beats or contracts because of electrical stimulation. The SA node


emits an electrical signial or impulse tha spreads throughout both atria to the
AV node

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Principles of Biomedical Science Activity 4.2.3 EKG Page 1

The AV node transmits the signal to the AV bundle which then splits into right
and left bundle brances. The impulse terminates in the Purkinje fibers which
innervate the ventricular wallst

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Principles of Biomedical Science Activity 4.2.3 EKG Page 2

Take out your heart box drawing from Activity 4.1.1. Use a yellow marker or colored
pencil to add the main structures of the conduction system Use your yellow marker or
colored pencil to draw the path of the electrical signal in the heart. Take a picture of
your updated heart diagram and insert below:

Read the information about EKGs. Pay attention to how the shape of an EKG tracing
relates to the information about conduction you learned about previously in this activity.
Draw the EKG tracing shown above in your laboratory journal. Label the P wave, QRS
complex, and the T wave. Next to each label, draw a text box that explains how this
wave or complex relates to heart function think about what is contracting or relaxing
during this part of the tracing and where the signal is being sent. Make sure to mention
the relevant structures of the conduction system. Take a picture of your drawing and
insert it below.

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Principles of Biomedical Science Activity 4.2.3 EKG Page 3

You will now take an EKG of your own heart. Note: This EKG is not to be used for
diagnostic purposes.
Table 1
Table 1
Interval

Time (s)

PR

.8

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Principles of Biomedical Science Activity 4.2.3 EKG Page 4

QRS

.7

QT

.35

RR

.5

Examine the diagram below to determine the specific waves, intervals, and complexes.

Click and drag the cursor bar to highlight each interval listed in Table 1. Notice that the
time and potential values, which correspond to the cursor bar location, appear at the
bottom of the screen (shown as t and y). Enter the value of each time (t) to the
nearest 0.01 S for each interval listed in Table 1 above.
Compare your measurements to the normal ranges shown in Table 2 below. Describe
any differences below Table 2.
Table 2
Standard Resting Electrocardiogram Interval Times
PR interval

0.12 to 0.20 s

QRS interval

less than 0.12 s

QT interval

0.30 to 0.40 s

My levels for p-r interval were lower than the ones shown

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Principles of Biomedical Science Activity 4.2.3 EKG Page 5

Calculate the heart rate in beats/min using the EKG data and record it to the nearest
whole number in Table 1 above. Show your work below.
62/70
Copy the analysis graph from Logger Pro and paste it below. (Remember, place the
mouse cursor over the graph, left click on the graph, press both the Control and the C
keys, and then paste [press both the Control and V keys] the graph below.)

Refer to the Activity 4.1.2 Autopsy Report and review the X-ray image of Annas heart.
Note that Annas autopsy shows placement of a device called a pacemaker. Research
the function of a pacemaker as well as why a person would have one implanted.
Document your findings below.
A pacemaker is a small device, used to help control the abnormal heart rythmns. It is
placed in the chest or abdomen. Paitents that use pacemakers are arrhythmias, which
is when their heart rate is abnormal. The pacemakers monitors and controls the heart
rate and uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat normally.

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Principles of Biomedical Science Activity 4.2.3 EKG Page 6

Conclusion
1 Annas autopsy revealed that she had an external pacemaker. What does the
pacemaker replace in the heart? Explain.
A pacemaker replaces the sinoatrial node, which is the bodys natural way of sending
electrical impulses.

2 Given Annas medical history, describe the most likely reason she needed a
pacemaker.
Anna had an abnormal heart rate because her sinoatrial node wont produce the
the electrical impulses the heart needs to pump blood.

3 What do you think would happen in the heart if the AV node could no longer do its job?
Explain how this would affect the contraction of the heart and the movement of blood.
If the AV node no longer worked the electrical impulses would not be able to send
the heart so contractions wouldnt occur causing the heart to not be able to pump
blood through the body.

4 In the space below, explain what an EKG can tell a physician about the heart of a
specific patient.
It can tell a physician if the heart rate is abnormal or normal, for example if a the patient has
an arrhythmnia.

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Principles of Biomedical Science Activity 4.2.3 EKG Page 7

Essential Questions
1.

In what ways can technology be used to collect and analyze cardiovascular data?
The EKG of a patient can be taken and shown.

2.

Why is it important to monitor the rate at which the heart beats?


To make sure the patient has a normal rate at which the heart beats at

3.

What factors can influence heart rate?


Stress, exercise, high blood pressure, and nervousness

4.

What is blood pressure?


The pressure of the blood in the circulatory system. It is related to the force and the rate of the
heartbeat as well as the diameter and elasticity of the arterial walls.

5.

How do systolic and diastolic blood pressure values relate to the movement of blood in arteries?
Systolic blood pressure is the blood being pumped through the arteries/contracting and diastolic
blood pressure is when the heart is relaxed

6.

What factors can influence blood pressure?


Stress, obesity, and nervousness

7.

What is an EKG?
Checks to make sure there are no problems with the electrical activity in your heart.

8.

How can an EKG be used in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease?
The EKG will show the certain relaxtion and contracting of the heart to show that there is nothing
abnormal with the heart rate

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Principles of Biomedical Science Activity 4.2.3 EKG Page 8

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