Biological Systems MCAT Practice Exam

What mechanism allows for increased stroke volume through enhanced heart contractility?

1. Baroreceptor reflex

2. Frank-Starling mechanism

3. Venous pooling

4. Innocuous pressure regulation

The correct answer is: Frank-Starling mechanism

The Frank-Starling mechanism refers to the relationship between the amount of blood filling the heart, known as preload, and the strength of the heart's contraction. According to this mechanism, an increase in the volume of blood returning to the heart results in a greater stretch of the myocardial fibers. This stretch optimally aligns the actin and myosin filaments in the cardiac muscle cells, leading to a stronger contraction. As a result, more blood is ejected with each heartbeat, effectively increasing stroke volume. This mechanism plays a critical role in adapting the heart's performance to varying levels of blood volume and pressure, ensuring that the heart can pump efficiently according to the body's demands. This adaptability allows for improved circulation, especially during periods of increased physical activity or when the body requires more oxygen and nutrients. The other options pertain to different physiological processes that do not specifically enhance stroke volume through contractility in the same way. For instance, the baroreceptor reflex primarily regulates blood pressure through changes in heart rate rather than directly affecting contractility. Venous pooling and innocuous pressure regulation relate to blood flow and pressure responses but do not directly alter the heart muscle's contractile strength in the manner described by the Frank-Starling phenomenon.