Explain what causes the conduction of impulses along a non-myelinated axon to be slower than along a myelinated axon.

In myelinated axons, the myelin sheath that surround the membrane prevents action potentials forming, hence depolarisation only occurs at the nodes of Ranvier (breaks in the sheath, exposing the membrane, at intervals of around 2mm). Impulses therefore 'jump' from node to node in a process called saltatory conduction. This is a much faster process than that which occurs along non-myelinated axons, whereby depolarisation occurs along the entire length of the axon. 

RO
Answered by Ruby O. Biology tutor

9085 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are the stages of the cell cycle?


Describe the flow of blood in the heart


How do you go about writing a 25 mark essay question?


Describe the stages of phagocytosis (4 marks)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning