Nodes of Ranvier
Myelination will speed the nerve conduction velocity considerably. Myelin is found in Schwann cells which encircle a given axon. It acts mainly as an insulator so that depolarization in one cell does not set off depolarizations in adjoining cells. When a neural membrane is depolarized, local currents are set up between positive and negative ions causing membrane conduction. In myelinated fibers, the local currents go from one internode (or node of Ranvier) in between two Schwann cells to the next internode. Thus we have "salutatory conduction" where a neural impulse actually jumps from one internode to the next without being conducted down the entire cell membrane.
The naked axon between Schwann cells is called the Node of Ranvier. It is a short unmyelinated segment of the axon where action potentials are generated during saltatory conduction. Nodes of Ranvier are essential for increasing the speed of nerve impulse transmission along myelinated neurons.
That myelinated axons fare faster, unmyelinated are slower.
Saltatory conduction is the process by which electrical signals jump between the nodes of Ranvier along myelinated axons, allowing for rapid transmission of action potentials. This occurs because the myelin sheath insulates the axon, forcing the electrical signal to "leap" from node to node where the membrane is exposed.
Saltatory conduction is faster than continuous conduction because it occurs in myelinated neurons where action potentials jump from one node of Ranvier to the next, skipping the myelinated regions in between. This allows for a more efficient transmission of the action potential, as the signal travels quicker and with less energy expenditure.
Myelination will speed the nerve conduction velocity considerably. Myelin is found in Schwann cells which encircle a given axon. It acts mainly as an insulator so that depolarization in one cell does not set off depolarizations in adjoining cells. When a neural membrane is depolarized, local currents are set up between positive and negative ions causing membrane conduction. In myelinated fibers, the local currents go from one internode (or node of Ranvier) in between two Schwann cells to the next internode. Thus we have "salutatory conduction" where a neural impulse actually jumps from one internode to the next without being conducted down the entire cell membrane.
Very simples, myelinated axons have a myelin sheath! These are produced by the schwann cells in the Peripheral Nervous System and oligodendrocytes in the Central Nervous System. The myelin sheath is made out of lipids (fats) and proteins. The benefits of a myelinated axons is a faster transmission of an electrical impulse and also insulation. The breakdown of a myelin sheath from a medical background results in Demyelination.Tortora, G, Derrickson, B (2009) Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, Wiley, Asia, 12th Edition, Volume 1, Pages 416-423Hope this helps!
For unmyelinated nerves there is a relationship between axon diameter and conduction velocity. Larger diameter nerves conduct faster. For myelinated nerves the a larger diameter nerve will conduct faster between the nodes of ranvier where the action potential is propagated. Conduction is said to be saltatoryas it jumps from node to node.
Saltatory conduction is faster than continuous conduction because in saltatory conduction, the electrical signal jumps between nodes of Ranvier on the myelinated axon, skipping the sections covered by myelin. This allows the signal to travel faster as it doesn't have to travel the entire length of the axon.
Saltatory conduction refers to the propagation of action potentials along myelinated axons from one node of Ranvier to the next node. It increases the conduction velocity of action potentials.
velocity proportional to square root of diameter
Nerves are myelinated to increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction. The myelin sheath acts as insulation, helping the nerve signal to travel faster along the axon. This allows for more efficient communication between different parts of the body.