What is the primary function of the heart's conduction system?

The primary function of the heart's conduction system is to generate and conduct electrical impulses. This system consists of specialized cardiac muscle cells that coordinate the timing of the heart's contractions. Specifically, the conduction system includes structures such as the sinoatrial (SA) node, atrioventricular (AV) node, bundle of His, and Purkinje fibers.

The SA node serves as the natural pacemaker of the heart, producing electrical impulses that initiate each heartbeat. These impulses spread through the atria, causing them to contract and push blood into the ventricles. Then, the impulses travel to the AV node, where there is a brief delay before moving to the ventricles via the bundle of His and Purkinje fibers, ensuring a coordinated contraction of the ventricles.

This electrical conduction is essential for maintaining an effective and rhythmic heart rate, allowing the heart to pump blood efficiently throughout the body. While the heart does contribute to regulating heart rate and blood pressure, these functions are secondary to the fundamental role of the conduction system in generating and conducting electrical impulses. Thus, the correct focus on the conduction system's primary responsibility is why this answer is accurate.