How does myelination affect nerve impulse conduction velocity?

Nerve impulses are propagated in the form of action potentials, involving the rapid depolarisation of the nerve cell membrane from  -70mV to +30mV, before repolarisation occurs returning the membrane potential to -70mV. This cycle of depolarisation and repolarisation is propagated along the nerve cell as an electrical signal. Myelinated axons are covered in a protective, lipid rich myelin sheath produced by Schwann cells. This insulates regions of the nerve cell, so they cannot depolarise. Regions that lack myelin are called “nodes of Ranvier” and these become the only areas where action potentials can form, resulting in “jumping” of the nerve impulse from node to node. This is called saltatory conduction. Saltatory conduction results in faster nerve impulse conduction velocity, as the action potentials can “jump” along the neuron. 

TW

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between the humoral and cell-mediated immune repsonses?


Describe the process of evolution (6 Marks)


explain how the nervous system increases heart rate


Gene mutations can arise during DNA replication. Explain why different types of gene mutation may have different effects on the encoded polypeptide.