Which ability of heart cells refers to receiving and transmitting electrical stimuli?

The correct answer, referring to the ability of heart cells to receive and transmit electrical stimuli, is conductivity. Conductivity is essential for the proper functioning of the heart, as it allows electrical impulses generated by the sinoatrial (SA) node to spread throughout the heart tissue, facilitating coordinated contractions of the cardiac muscle.

This process ensures that the heart beats in a rhythmic and organized manner, which is critical for maintaining effective blood circulation. Conductivity is primarily provided by specialized cardiac cells, known as conductive tissue, that include the bundle of His and Purkinje fibers, which help propagate electrical signals throughout the ventricles.

In contrast, contractility pertains to the heart's ability to contract and generate force to pump blood, automaticity refers to the heart's capability to generate its own electrical impulses, and excitability denotes the ability of heart cells to respond to those impulses. While all these functions are vital for heart physiology, conductivity specifically highlights the aspect of receiving and transmitting electrical stimuli.