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Propagation of an action potential down an axon has both a passive and an active component. The active component is the voltage activated opening of ion channels, but the passive so-called 'cable' properties of the axon also play a role. In a myelinated axon the ion channels are concentrated in the non-mylenated internodes. Current spreads with less loss of potential where there is mylein and this causes the action potential to leap from internode to internode. This is called saltory conduction.

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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.


When the nerve impulse encounters a myelin-covered section of neuron?

When the nerve impulse encounters a myelin-covered section of a neuron, it jumps between the nodes of Ranvier, allowing for faster transmission speed due to saltatory conduction. Myelin acts as an insulator, preventing the impulse from dissipating and increasing the efficiency of signal transmission along the neuron.


What structure insulates neurons?

The myelin sheath is a structure that insulates neurons. It is made up of specialized cells called oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. The myelin sheath helps to increase the speed and efficiency of nerve impulse conduction along the axon.


What affects nerve impulse speed?

Nerve impulse speed is affected by the diameter of the nerve fiber (larger fibers conduct faster), the presence of myelin sheath (myelinated fibers conduct faster), and temperature (warmer temperatures enhance conduction speed). Additionally, the refractory period of the neuron and the strength of the stimulus can also influence nerve impulse speed.


How does the structure of the sensory neurone maximise the speed of an impulse passing through it?

The structure of a sensory neuron is optimized for the speed of impulse transmission through features such as a long axon with a myelin sheath and nodes of Ranvier. The myelin sheath insulates the axon, allowing for faster saltatory conduction of the signal. Additionally, the clustered sodium channels at the nodes of Ranvier help in rapid depolarization, enhancing the speed of the impulse.

Related Questions

The speed of impulse conduction along an axon may be increased by?

By myelin sheath.


Which structure is coated with myelin to increase speed of nerve impulse transmission?

The structure coated with myelin to increase the speed of nerve impulse transmission is the axon. Myelin is a fatty substance that forms a protective sheath around the axon, facilitating faster electrical signal conduction through a process called saltatory conduction. This allows the nerve impulses to jump between the gaps in the myelin sheath, known as nodes of Ranvier, significantly enhancing transmission speed.


The speed at which a neural impulse travels is increased when the axon is encased by an?

insulating layer called myelin sheath. This myelin sheath helps to speed up the conduction of electrical impulses along the axon by allowing the impulse to jump between nodes of Ranvier, known as saltatory conduction.


What insulates nerve fibers?

Myelin insulation insulates nerve fibers by wrapping around them and forming a protective sheath. This myelin sheath helps to increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction along the nerve fibers.


What is the myelin sheath's function?

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.


What the function of the myelin sheath?

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.


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.


What is a substance of Schwann cell composed of lipoprotein that insulates axons and increases impulse speed?

The substance is called myelin, and it is composed of lipoprotein layers that wrap around axons. Myelin insulation helps to increase the speed of neural impulses by allowing them to "jump" between nodes of Ranvier along the axon. This process is known as saltatory conduction.


What increases the speed of impulse transmission?

Myelin Sheath Myelin Sheath


When the nerve impulse encounters a myelin-covered section of neuron?

When the nerve impulse encounters a myelin-covered section of a neuron, it jumps between the nodes of Ranvier, allowing for faster transmission speed due to saltatory conduction. Myelin acts as an insulator, preventing the impulse from dissipating and increasing the efficiency of signal transmission along the neuron.


How does myelin insulate an axon to enhance the speed and efficiency of nerve impulse conduction?

Myelin is a fatty substance that wraps around the axon of a neuron, forming a protective sheath. This insulation helps to speed up the transmission of nerve impulses by allowing the electrical signal to jump from one node of Ranvier to the next, rather than traveling along the entire length of the axon. This process, known as saltatory conduction, increases the speed and efficiency of nerve impulse conduction.


What structure insulates neurons?

The myelin sheath is a structure that insulates neurons. It is made up of specialized cells called oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. The myelin sheath helps to increase the speed and efficiency of nerve impulse conduction along the axon.