Propagation of Action Potential (AP)

Question 1

Understand AP propagation – why does it move in one direction only.

Answer 1

AP propagation only occurs during depolarization and depolarization only moves forward -sodium gates open at the front of depolarization and close at the back of depolarization

Question 2

Explain what myelination means.
What are nodes of Ranvier?
How does myelin affects the rate of conduction?

Answer 2

Myelination acts as an insulator to prevent leakage of charge from the axon.

Nodes of Ranvier allows for a current to pass through them by using electricity to signal a jump
from axon to axon.

Myelin affects the rate of conduction by increasing it and allows the nerve impulses to move
more quickly

Question 3

Differ between saltatory and non-saltatory conduction.

Answer 3

Saltatory conduction occurs when the signal jumps from node to node

Non-saltatory conduction has a slower rate of conduction because they are unmyelinated