What creates a gradient across the anode and cathode in normal conduction?

In normal conduction, depolarization is the process that creates a gradient across the anode and cathode. During depolarization, there is a rapid influx of sodium ions (Na+) into the cardiac cells, leading to a change in the membrane potential. This change effectively shifts the electrical charges across the membrane, resulting in a positive potential inside the cell relative to the outside, which creates a pressure gradient.

This gradient is essential for the propagation of the electrical impulse through cardiac tissue, allowing for the coordinated contraction of the heart muscle. The changes in ion concentrations during depolarization are crucial for maintaining the rhythmic heartbeats and ensuring efficient functioning of the cardiac conduction system.

While hyperpolarization and repolarization involve changes in membrane potential, they generally serve to reset the cardiac cells back to their resting state rather than driving conduction. Electrical noise does not contribute to the established gradient for conduction and may instead interfere with the clear signaling necessary for proper heart rhythm.