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The fatty substance around the axons of WHITE MATTER in the brain, and around PERIPHERAL axons is called MYELIN. The axons of GREY matter in the brain are NOT myelinated, nor do they need to be, because the axons travel only short distances.
Myelin insulates the axons of neurons so that impulses can travel longer distances along the nerve faster, without losing strength. Without myelin around longer axons (think of it as the rubber coating around electrical wires), the nerve impulses can't travel as fast with constant strength, or may get stopped altogether.
Demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis or ALD damage or (for the lack of a better term) dissolve myelin or prevent it from being produced so that nerve signals are unable to travel along the neuron.
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoMyelin
the fatty covering of myelinated nerves which appears white to the naked eye. The parts of the brain and spinal cord, in which myelinated nerves run, has therefore been called the 'white' matter as distinct from the 'grey' matter composed of nerve cells. Myelin also contains about 20 % of proteins whose prime role is to mediate adhesion between adjacent Schwann cells. These cell membrane glycoproteins are also members of the immunoglobulin family of cell surface proteins. Defects in the these surface proteins may cause them to act as antigens to the immune system. The disease multiple sclerosis is caused by antibodies to the myelin proteins, which results in inflammation and loss of myelin.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoMyelin is a fatty substance that insulates neurons.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoA substance known as a myelin sheath coats the axon of a neuron cell. This coating helps protect the electrical impulse as it travels the nerve.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoMyelin is the fat like substance that surrounds axons.
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Is white matter dense in myelinated axons?
Yes White matter is the part of the nervous system that is dense is myelinated axons
These cover the axonin order to make nerve signals faster?
Some axons have an insulating coating, called the fatty myelin sheath, to make signals travel faster.
What does fatty sheath do?
fatty sheath is a layer of proteins surrounding the axons in the perisheral nervous system
What is the fatty substance that speeds up transmission of impulses and surrounds the axon of a neuron?
The fatty tissue surrounding the axon of a neuron is called myelin.
What is the process by which individual axons are insulated with fatty sheaths to enhance efficiency?
Myelination is that process.
What contains insulating fatty tissue?
Adipose tissue stores fat for insulation.
White matter of the nervous system is composed of?
White matter in the nervous system is caused when the axons in the area are myelinated. This means that the axons have a fatty protein covering to provide insulation. The myelin sheath is composed of special cells calls Schwann Cells.
How does the fatty tissue help to regulate body temperature?
Insulating tissue that provides warmth.
What is axonal substance called?
Myelin is a fatty sheath around axons found in the peripheral nervous system.
What is the fatty tissue that covers axons and speeds up impulses as they travel from cell to cell?
That substance is called the myelin cell or myelin sheath.
How is a phospholipid is similar to a fat?
They are both esters. Triglycerides have three fatty acids and one glycerol, while phospholipids have two fatty acids and one glycophosphate.
What are specialized coverings of the axon?
Myelin covers the axon to protect it and help messages travel faster. Two types of cells produce myelin, the oligodendrocytes in the CNS and Schwann cells in the PNS.
