Question

Describe briefly how myelination of the axon speeds up the conduction of the action potential. What is the molecular process that is altered? Maximum number of characters (including HTML tags added by text editor): 32,000 Show RichText Editor and character count) 1

Answer 1

Myelin is an insulating layer on the axon.This insulating layer helps in smooth conduction of electrical impulses as compared to the axons which are non myelinated.Action potentials actually jump from one node to another, which is defined as saltatory conduction, in other words called as 'leap'.This type of conduction is a faster way to travel through an axon which are mylenated.Hyperpolarization occurs when there is a change of cellular membrane potential and this makes it more negative.

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