Chapter 7, Problem 5bCP

Summary Introduction

To review:

The following:

1. Explanation as to how action potentials are conducted by unmyelinated nerve fibers.

2. Reason for rapid saltatory conduction in myelinated fibers.

Introduction:

Every action potential sparks positive charges that spread in the adjacent parts of unmyelinated axon. Thus, in an unmyelinated axon, each and every membrane patch consists of sodium ion channels which produces action potential. Such kind of action potentials is created throughout the length of the axon. When action potentials happen at Ranvier nodes, it seems to leap from node to node and this process is referred to as saltatory conduction.