title: Functiogenesis of cardiac pacemaker activity.
abstract: Throughout our investigations on the ontogenesis of the electrophysiological events in early embryonic chick hearts, using optical techniques to record membrane potential probed with voltage-sensitive dyes, we have introduced a novel concept of "functiogenesis" corresponding to "morphogenesis". This article gives an account of the framework of "functiogenesis", focusing on the cardiac pacemaker function and the functional organization of the pacemaking area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine, 207 Uehara, Nishihara, Okinawa, 903-0215, Japan. tsakai@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kohtaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Cardiac pacemaker potential; Early embryonic chick heart; Functiogenesis; Optical technique; Pacemaking area; Voltage-sensitive dye