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The heartbeat is said to be myogenic because it contracts without having to be stimulated by a nerve. However the contractions are controlled by the pacemaker, located in the wall between the left and right atrium. During exercise there is a rise in carbon dioxide levels detected by the medulla in the brain which sends brain impulses causing the SA node to intricate contractions of the atria and causing the AV node to contract the ventricles. This allows the pacemaker to send messages, through Purkinje fibers, to speed up the heart contractions during exercise and pump more blood through the body. When exercise has stopped, the pacemaker sends messages to slow down the heart rate, decreasing the level of carbon dioxide and therefore pumping less blood through the body. The pacemaker also secretes the hormone adrenaline which causes the pacemaker to speed up the contractions to prepare the body for a fight or flight situation.

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16y ago

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