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Question
Biology
Posted 9 months ago
describe how myelination increases the speed of nerve impulse conduction
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Answer from Sia
Posted 9 months ago
Answer
Myelination increases the speed of nerve impulse conduction by insulating axons and facilitating saltatory conduction.
Solution
a
Myelin Sheath: The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that wraps around the axon of a neuron. It acts as an insulator, preventing the loss of electrical signals and allowing the impulse to travel more efficiently
b
Nodes of Ranvier: These are small gaps in the myelin sheath where the axon membrane is exposed. The action potential jumps from one node to the next, a process known as saltatory conduction
c
Saltatory Conduction: This jumping mechanism significantly increases the speed of nerve impulse conduction compared to continuous conduction along an unmyelinated axon
Key Concept
Myelination and Saltatory Conduction
Explanation
Myelination allows for faster transmission of nerve impulses by enabling the action potential to jump between nodes of Ranvier, rather than traveling continuously along the axon.

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