What do boutons cover?

What do boutons cover?

• A. The blood vessels in the heart
• B. The conduction pathways
• C. The receptors of a cardiac cell
• D. The valves of the heart

Answer: (C)

The correct choice identifies that boutons cover the receptors of a cardiac cell, which is essential to understanding how cardiac cells interact with neurotransmitters and other signaling molecules. These boutons are specialized structures that release neurotransmitters or other signaling substances, which then bind to the receptors on cardiac cells, leading to changes in cardiovascular functions such as heart rate and contractility.

In cardiac physiology, the receptors found on the surface of heart cells (such as adrenergic receptors) play a crucial role in mediating responses to hormones like adrenaline, affecting how the heart responds to stress and various physiological demands. The presence of boutons ensures that these signaling molecules are precisely delivered and can promptly elicit a physiological response, facilitating effective communication within the cardiac system.