The white lipid material that insulates the axon of a neuron is called myelin. In the central nervous system, myelin is created by oligodendrocytes while in the peripheral nervous system the myelin is created by Schwann cells. The purpose of myelin is to speed up action potentials. It's important to know that the myelin does not coat the axon entirely; each sheath of myelin is separated by a gap, called a node of Ranvier. These gaps are responsible for the quick transport of action potentials, due to the fact that the potentials can "jump" from node to node rather than having to travel down the entire length of the axon (this is called saltatory conduction).
white dwarf
White matter is primarily composed of myelinated axons, which are the long projections of neurons that transmit electrical signals. The myelin sheath, a fatty substance that surrounds and insulates these axons, gives white matter its characteristic color and enhances the speed of signal transmission. In contrast to gray matter, which contains neuron cell bodies and unmyelinated axons, white matter plays a crucial role in facilitating communication between different brain regions.
White matter appears white because of the high lipid content in myelinated axons, which form the majority of its composition. Myelin sheaths surrounding the axons help to increase the speed of electrical signal conduction, giving white matter its distinct appearance.
The brain structure richest in lipid content is the myelin sheath, which surrounds and insulates axons of neurons. Myelin is primarily composed of lipids, accounting for approximately 70-80% of its composition, which facilitates faster transmission of electrical signals along the nerve fibers. Additionally, the white matter of the brain, which contains a high density of myelinated axons, also has a significant lipid content compared to gray matter.
A Simple experiment to determine if a white substance is a lipid or a carbohydrate is to rub it on a brown paper bag. If it leaves a greasy spot its a lipid.
Axon and dendrites of a neuron
Rub the substance on a paper bag, if it leaves a grease stain, it is a Lipid.
neuron
It's fat. Lipid storage.
The parts are: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic regions. :)
gray matter
The duration of White Material is 1.67 hours.