EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Saltatory conduction is the propagation of action potentials along myelinated axons from one node of Ranvier to the next node, increasing the conduction velocity of action potentials. Hence, an action potential traveling along an axon moves faster than a neurotransmitter.

Detailed explanation-2: -This is called saltatory conduction which means “to leap.” Saltatory conduction is a faster way to travel down an axon than traveling in an axon without myelin.

Detailed explanation-3: -Saltatory conduction is faster than continuous conduction, meaning that myelinated axons propagate their signals faster.

Detailed explanation-4: -Action potentials travel down neuronal axons in an ion cascade. Positive ions (mostly sodium ions) flow into the cell body, which triggers transmembrane channels at the start of the axon to open and to let in more positive ions.

Detailed explanation-5: -The presence of Schwann cells means the action potentials ‘jump’ from one node to the next, this is known as saltatory conduction. Saltatory conduction allows the impulse to travel much faster (up to 50 times faster) than in an unmyelinated axon of the same diameter.