What is the process of myelination?

Myelination is the process by which brain oligodendrocytes produce layers of myelin that wrap around the neuronal axons and act as a layer of insulation for the transmission of electric action potentials down the neuronal axon.

What is the role of Schwann cells in the nervous system?

The Schwann cell plays a vital role in maintaining the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Schwann cells are derived from neural crest cells, and come in two types either myelinating or non-myelinating Schwann cells. Both play a pivotal role in the maintenance and regeneration of axons of the neurons in the PNS.

What is myelination to nerve cell conduction?

Summary. Myelin can greatly increase the speed of electrical impulses in neurons because it insulates the axon and assembles voltage-gated sodium channel clusters at discrete nodes along its length. Myelin damage causes several neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.

What is the process of myelination quizlet?

The process by which axons become coated with myelin, a fatty substance that speeds the transmission of nerve impulses from neuron to neuron.

How many stages of myelination are there?

(C) A schematic of the development of a myelinating OL in three stages. A bipolar OPC differentiates into an immature OL that begins to express myelin proteins and extends multiple processes among the RGC axons. These OL processes ensheathe axons, depositing one smooth layer of membrane.

How does myelination affect the signal transmission of a neuron?

Myelin promotes fast transmission of electrical signals mainly by affecting two factors: 1) increasing electrical resistance, or reducing leakage of the electrical signal and ions along the axon, “trapping” them inside the axon and 2) decreasing membrane capacitance by increasing the distance between conducting …

How does the myelination process differ in the CNS and PNS?

Myelin is present in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS); however only the central nervous system is affected by MS. CNS myelin is produced by special cells called oligodendrocytes. PNS myelin is produced by Schwann cells.

How does a neuron cell membrane become depolarized quizlet?

When a stimulus reaches a resting neuron, the gated ion channels on the resting neuron’s membrane open suddenly and allow the Na+ that was on the outside of the membrane to go rushing into the cell. As this happens, the neuron goes from being polarized to being depolarized.

How does myelin speed up conduction?

By acting as an electrical insulator, myelin greatly speeds up action potential conduction (Figure 3.14). For example, whereas unmyelinated axon conduction velocities range from about 0.5 to 10 m/s, myelinated axons can conduct at velocities up to 150 m/s.

What is myelin How does the myelination process differ in the CNS and PNS?

CNS myelin is produced by special cells called oligodendrocytes. PNS myelin is produced by Schwann cells. The two types of myelin are chemically different, but they both perform the same function — to promote efficient transmission of a nerve impulse along the axon.

What is myelin How does the myelination process differ in the CNS and PNS quizlet?

Myelin protects and electrically insulates fibers. It also increases the transmission speed of nerve impulses. In the PNS, myelin sheaths are formed by Schwann cells. In the CNS, oligodendrocytes form the myelin sheath.

What process occurs as the membrane starts to depolarize?

Process of depolarization Depolarization causes the rapid change in membrane potential from negative to positive state. The process of depolarization begins with a stimulus. This stimulus can be a simple touch, light, foreign particle, or even electrical stimulus. This stimulus causes a voltage change in the cell.

What causes a nerve cell membrane to become depolarized?

When the neurotransmitter molecules bind to ligand-gated ion channels on the receiving cell, they may cause depolarization of that cell, causing it to undergo its own action potential.

How does myelin sheath work?

Myelin is an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. It is made up of protein and fatty substances. This myelin sheath allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells. If myelin is damaged, these impulses slow down.