Question

The speed of nerve impulses is 20 time faster in myelinated neuron fiber due to
A) Saltatory conduction
B) Continue impulse
c) Nerve fiber
D) Not

Answer 1

The correct answer is option a. Saltatory conduction.

• Saltatory conduction is the propagation of nerve impulses( action potentials) through the myelinated axons.
• The impulses jump from one Node of Ranvier to the next one, increasing the conduction velocity of the action potentials.
• Nodes of Ranvier are the microscopic gaps found within myelinated axons. It is a gap between the glial cells of the myelin sheath.
• These glial cells are known as Schwann cells and help to electrically insulate the neuron.
• Saltatory conduction is absent in non-myelinated nerve fibres.
• Saltatory conduction also saves energy by decreasing the use of sodium-potassium pumps in the axonal membrane.