Conduction in myelinated fibers is faster due to saltatory conduction.

Conduction in myelinated fibers is faster due to saltatory conduction.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only in CNS
• D. Only in PNS

Answer: (A)

Saltatory conduction speeds signal transmission along myelinated axons. Myelin wraps the axon, increasing membrane resistance and reducing membrane capacitance, so the electrical current travels quickly through the insulated internodes and only triggers depolarization at the nodes of Ranvier where voltage-gated channels are concentrated. The action potential effectively jumps from node to node, which dramatically increases conduction velocity compared with unmyelinated fibers. This mechanism occurs in both the CNS (oligodendrocytes) and the PNS (Schwann cells), so the statement is true for myelinated fibers in either system. Unmyelinated fibers conduct more slowly due to continuous propagation, which helps explain why myelination accelerates transmission.

Saltatory conduction speeds signal transmission along myelinated axons. Myelin wraps the axon, increasing membrane resistance and reducing membrane capacitance, so the electrical current travels quickly through the insulated internodes and only triggers depolarization at the nodes of Ranvier where voltage-gated channels are concentrated. The action potential effectively jumps from node to node, which dramatically increases conduction velocity compared with unmyelinated fibers. This mechanism occurs in both the CNS (oligodendrocytes) and the PNS (Schwann cells), so the statement is true for myelinated fibers in either system. Unmyelinated fibers conduct more slowly due to continuous propagation, which helps explain why myelination accelerates transmission.