AP PSYCHOLOGY

BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR

STUDYING THE BRAIN

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
What is the insulating membrane that surrounds parts of the axon that helps the impulses travel faster called?
A
Axon
B
Dendrites
C
Axon Terminals
D
Myelin Sheath
E
Cellbody
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Myelin is an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. It is made up of protein and fatty substances. This myelin sheath allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells.

Detailed explanation-2: -The myelin sheath is a greatly extended and modified plasma membrane wrapped around the nerve axon in a spiral fashion [1]. The myelin membranes originate from and are a part of the Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the oligodendroglial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) (see Chap.

Detailed explanation-3: -Myelin sheath is a substance which is found on neurons within the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Myelin sheath is the protective layer that wraps around the axons of neurons to aid in insulating the neurons, and to increase the number of electrical signals being transferred.

Detailed explanation-4: -Myelin sheath function Since the myelin sheath surrounds the axon, one of its functions is to separate the axon from surrounding extracellular components. Its main function, however, is to insulate the axon and increase the velocity of action potential propagation.

Detailed explanation-5: -The myelin sheath itself is made up of spirally arranged lamellae in which the intraperiod and dense lines alternate. Inside the myelin sheath an inner cytoplasmic process surrounds the axon and where the external surfaces of its bounding membrane come together an internal mesaxon is formed.

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