Question
The primary function of myelin is to: \( \begin{array}{l}\text { A) Increase the speed of nerve impulse } \\ \text { B) Decrease the speed of nerve impulse } \\ \text { Crovide structural support to neurons } \\ \text { D) Generate electrical signals }\end{array} \)
Ask by Lane Pollard. in the United States
Mar 11,2025
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Answer
The primary function of myelin is to **increase the speed of nerve impulses**.
Solution
The primary function of myelin is to:
**A) Increase the speed of nerve impulse.**
Myelin is a fatty substance that surrounds the axons of many neurons. It acts as an insulator and allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells. This process is known as saltatory conduction, where the impulse jumps from one node of Ranvier (gaps in the myelin sheath) to another, significantly increasing the speed of transmission compared to unmyelinated fibers.
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Simplify this solution The Deep Dive
Myelin is like a cozy blanket for nerve fibers, insulating them and allowing electrical impulses to zip along at lightning speed. This incredible fatty substance wraps around axons, ensuring quicker communication between neurons—essential for everything from reflexes to complex thinking! In the real world, think of myelin as the upgrade from dial-up to high-speed internet. When myelination is optimal, messages in your nervous system travel much faster, influencing everything from reaction times in athletes to overall brain function. Certain diseases, like multiple sclerosis, disrupt this myelination, leading to slower communication and a host of symptoms.
