Class 11 Zoology simulations · Neural Control and Coordination

Myelinated vs non-myelinated fibres

Compare how fast impulses travel: continuously along a bare axon or jumping from node to node of Ranvier.

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What to notice

Myelinated fibres conduct impulses much faster than non-myelinated fibres of the same diameter.

Key relation

Saltatory conduction: impulse jumps between nodes of Ranvier

Try this

Double the axon diameter for both types and compare the speeds.

What you can change

• Axon diameter: 1 to 20 μm

More in Neural Control and Coordination

• Nerve impulse: the action potential
• Reflex arc: the knee jerk
• Transmission across a chemical synapse

See all Class 11 Zoology simulations or every Physica simulation.