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Microbiology Study Guide Flashcards

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Terms in this set (7)

  • What is myelin and its function?

    Myelin is a fatty substance that insulates the axon of a neuron to increase signal transmission speed.

  • What is myelination?

    Myelination is the process of adding myelin around the axon of a neuron.

  • What are the Nodes of Ranvier?

    Nodes of Ranvier are the gaps between myelin segments on an axon where ion exchange occurs.

  • What is saltatory conduction?

    Saltatory conduction is when the nerve signal jumps from node to node along the axon, speeding up transmission.

  • What is the benefit of saltatory conduction?

    Saltatory conduction allows for faster and more efficient signal transmission along the neuron.

  • What is the refractory period in neurons?

    The refractory period is the time after a neuron fires when it cannot fire again or is harder to fire.

  • What is the benefit of the refractory period?

    The refractory period helps ensure that signals travel in one direction along the neuron.