Why is saltatory conduction along a myelinated axon faster than continuous conduction along an unmyelinated axon?Multiple ChoiceSince many more voltage-gated channels are located along a myelinated axon, the conduction rate all along the axon is more rapid than along an unmyelinated axon having fewer channels.Since the bioelectric current travels very fast along the membrane surfaces surrounded by myelin (under the Schwann cells), the overall impulse conduction rate is very rapid.The lack of myelin around unmyelinated axons causes them to be unable to conduct impulses; therefore the myelinated axons will have a faster impulse conduction rate.Since action potentials do not occur along with the areas of the axon membrane that are covered by myelin, myelinated axons have less membrane surface that will conduct the impulse.
Question
Why is saltatory conduction along a myelinated axon faster than continuous conduction along an unmyelinated axon?Multiple ChoiceSince many more voltage-gated channels are located along a myelinated axon, the conduction rate all along the axon is more rapid than along an unmyelinated axon having fewer channels.Since the bioelectric current travels very fast along the membrane surfaces surrounded by myelin (under the Schwann cells), the overall impulse conduction rate is very rapid.The lack of myelin around unmyelinated axons causes them to be unable to conduct impulses; therefore the myelinated axons will have a faster impulse conduction rate.Since action potentials do not occur along with the areas of the axon membrane that are covered by myelin, myelinated axons have less membrane surface that will conduct the impulse.
Solution
The correct answer is: "Since action potentials do not occur along with the areas of the axon membrane that are covered by myelin, myelinated axons have less membrane surface that will conduct the impulse."
This is because myelin, a type of fat, insulates the axon and prevents the leakage of ions through the membrane. This allows the electrical signal (action potential) to jump from one node of Ranvier (gaps in the myelin sheath where voltage-gated sodium channels are concentrated) to the next, speeding up the transmission of the signal. This process is known as saltatory conduction. In contrast, in unmyelinated axons, the action potential has to travel the entire length of the axon, which is slower. This is known as continuous conduction.
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