Expert: Walter Hintz - 7/2/2006

Question
I'm having a hard time on this question

Saltatory conduction speeds impulse conduction. Explain why this is true

Answer
Hi Destiny: The longest sensory neurons are covered with a myelin sheath and myelin is an insulator. Spaced along the neuron are gaps where the nerve membrane is exposed.  These are called the Nodes of Ranvier. When a nerve impulses travels it jumps from node to node speeding up the conduction.  This is called saltatory conduction. The impulse is faster when jumping from gap to gap. If I decide to wiggle my big toe it happens quickly due to the saltatory conduction.