In reality, the heart has several pacemakers known as autonomic foci, each which fires at its own intrinsic rate:

Normally, all the foci will end up firing at the SA node rate, not their intrinsic rate.

The other foci attempt to fire at their intrinsic rate, but they are activated by the SA node before they can fire.

However, in pathological conditions, the intrinsic rate becomes apparent.

The heart will now beat at the intrinsic rate of the atrial foci.

Exchange current densities reflect intrinsic rates of electron transfer between an analyte and the electrode.

This rapid firing causes all the foci to fire faster than their intrinsic rates, a phenomenon known as overdrive-suppression.

The intrinsic rate of the Bundle of His is between 40 - 60 bpm.

The rate at which a population increases in size if there are no density-dependent forces regulating the population is known as the intrinsic rate of increase.

Sawfish are extremely vulnerable to overexploitation due to their entanglement in net gear, restricted habitat, and their low intrinsic rate of increase.