Question

Which of the following cardiac functions can be moderated by neural signals from special neural centre in the medulla oblongata?
a. Rate of heart beat
b. Cardiac output
c. Speed of conduction of action potential
d. Strength of ventricular contraction and thereby the cardiac output.

• A. a & b
• B. a, b & c
• C. a, b, c & d
• D. a, b & d

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

a & b

A special neural centre in medulla oblongata can moderate the cardiac function through autonomic nervous system (ANS). Neural signals through the sympathetic nerves (part of ANS) can increase the rate of heart beat, the strength of ventricular contraction and thereby the cardiac output. Parasympathetic neural signals (component of ANS) decrease the rate of heart beat, speed of conduction of action potential and thereby the cardiac output.

Hence, the correct answer is (A)