Why does the cardiac ventricular pressure change during isovolumetric contraction and relaxation. The volume ( both valves are closed) is constant, Does Boyle's Law not apply? P1V1= P2V2 at constant temperature.
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$\begingroup$ Remember - during isovolumetric contraction and isovolumetric relaxation that the wall tension and thus pressure within the ventricle is changing, despite no changes in volume. Can you add some more to your question to show that you've given more of a research effort? Like add an illustration or graph of what you're thinking? It would definitely improve the quality of your question. $\endgroup$– Vance L AlbaughJan 20, 2017 at 17:59
2 Answers
Boyle's law doesn't apply to all fluids: only gasses, not liquids. Liquids like blood are (mostly) incompressible, so their volume does not change substantially when you add pressure.
During isovolumetric contraction, the ventricular walls are pushing in on the blood contained in the ventricle, causing the increase in pressure, but there is not yet sufficient pressure to force the blood out the pulmonary/aortic valve.
Source:
Hillegass, E. (2016). Essentials of cardiopulmonary physical therapy. Elsevier Health Sciences.
The pressure increase in Ventricle is due to the depolarization of Ventricle myocardial cells I.e. the continued action potential through the ventricle noted as QRS wave in ECG. This makes the ventricles contract and hence the pressure increases without changing the volume of the blood as all the valves during isovolumetric contraction are closed.