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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.

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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.


Why is an axon unmyelinated?

An axon is unmyelinated because it lacks a myelin sheath, which is a fatty insulating layer that speeds up the transmission of electrical impulses. Unmyelinated axons are generally smaller in diameter and conduct nerve impulses more slowly compared to myelinated axons.


What is the process by which individual axons are insulated with fatty sheaths to enhance efficiency?

The process is called myelination, where individual axons are wrapped in layers of fatty material called myelin produced by specialized cells called oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. Myelin acts as an insulating layer that helps speed up the transmission of electrical signals along the axon, enhancing the efficiency of neural communication.


What is the fatty tissue that covers axons and speeds up impulses as they travel from cell to cell?

The fatty tissue that covers axons and speeds up impulses is called myelin. Myelin acts as an insulating layer, which helps to increase the speed and efficiency of nerve impulse transmission along the axon.


What are axons surrounded by?

Axons are surrounded by myelin sheath, a fatty material that insulates and protects the axon. Additionally, axons are also surrounded by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system, which help form the myelin sheath.


What wraps around larger axons?

Larger axons are typically wrapped with a fatty substance called myelin, which is produced by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system. Myelin serves as an insulating layer that helps to increase the speed and efficiency of nerve impulse conduction along the axon.


Is white matter dense in myelinated axons?

Yes, white matter is dense in myelinated axons. White matter in the brain and spinal cord is primarily composed of nerve fibers that are encased in myelin sheaths, which give it its white color. Myelination helps to speed up the transmission of nerve impulses along these axons.


What is the fatty substance that speeds up transmission of impulses and surrounds the axon of a neuron?

The fatty substance that surrounds the axon of a neuron and speeds up the transmission of impulses is called myelin. Myelin acts as an insulating layer that helps to maintain the electrical signal within the neuron, allowing for faster and more efficient communication between cells.


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.


What is axonal substance called?

Myelin is a fatty sheath around axons found in the peripheral nervous system.


How does the fatty tissue help to regulate body temperature?

Insulating tissue that provides warmth.