What is the function of myelin sheath?

Answer 1

The function of the myelin sheath is to insulate the axon of the neuron. When there are gaps in the sheath, known as nodes of Ranvier, the nerve impulse can jump from gap to gap, thus increasing greatly the speed of conduction of the nerve impulse. This is known as saltatory conduction.

Answer 2

Insulation - much like the coating on the outside of electrical wires. Increases the speed of transmissions across the axon.
The main purpose of myelin is to cover neuron cells so that it can conduct action potential more quickly.

If you examine a myelinated neural axon within peripheral nervous system, you will see Schwann cells that cover the cell's axon with myelin sheaths. In between the myelin sheaths are what is called Nodes of Ranvier. So if you follow propagation of an action potential you will see that it starts with the addition of charges through the dendrites into the soma (cell body) and into the axonal hillock. If the summation of charges is beyond the threshold, the action potential will proceed down the axon. Myelin allows the charges to "jump" from node to node. Time of propagation is reduced and also distance covered is increased. In the peripheral nervous system, it is multiple Schwann cells that myelinate one neuron and in the central nervous system, one oligodendrocyte myelinates several neurons.

Also myelin is composed of lipids which makes its conductance very low or not at all. This is the intrinsic property that allows the charges to "jump" over the myelin.
It speeds up the speed of nerve transmission ... by quite a bit (say a 100 times).

Answer 3

Myelin (sheath) is a white fatty covering (of proteins and phospholipids) that wrap around axons (long nerve fibers that deliver impulses from one neuron to another) insulating them to help them fire faster.

Answer 4

The myelin sheath is a protective covering that surrounds nerve fibers and allows for faster transmission of electrical signals along the nerves. It acts as an insulator and helps to speed up the communication between different parts of the nervous system.

Answer 5

a wrapping of myelin around certain nerve axons serving as an electrical insalator that speeds nerve impulses to muscles and other effectors

Answer 6

Increases the speed of conduction of action potentials...