Questions and Answers
What is Saltatory Conduction?
What is an Axon?
A long nerve fiber that conducts away from the cell body of the neuron.
What is the Myelin sheath?
A layer of fatty tissue that encases the fibers of many neurons and increases transmission speed.
What is the Node of Ranvier?
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Study Notes
Saltatory Conduction
- Saltatory conduction allows nerve impulses to "jump" between gaps in the myelin sheath, enhancing transmission speed.
- The term "saltatory" derives from the Spanish word "salta," meaning "jump."
Axon
- An axon is a long nerve fiber that transmits electrical signals away from a neuron’s cell body.
- Axons play a critical role in communication between neurons and target cells.
Myelin Sheath
- The myelin sheath is composed of fatty tissue that surrounds and insulates the axons of many neurons.
- This insulation significantly increases the speed of neural impulse transmission by enabling impulses to hop from one node to another.
Node of Ranvier
- Nodes of Ranvier are small gaps found between segments of the myelin sheath along the axon.
- These nodes expose the axonal membrane and facilitate faster transmission of nerve impulses.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of saltatory conduction with these flashcards. Understand key terms like axon, myelin sheath, and the overall process that enhances nerve impulse transmission. Perfect for students of neuroscience and biology.
