Denise,a first-year graduate student,is getting ready to begin a lab rotation with Dr.Hudson,an expert on the nodes of Ranvier.What should Denise know about the nodes of Ranvier before beginning her lab rotation?
A)Action potentials occur only at the nodes of Ranvier in unmyelinated axons.
B)Action potentials occur only at the nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons.
C)Action potentials "skip" over the nodes of Ranvier in unmyelinated axons.
D)Action potentials "skip" over the nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Action potentials occur only at the nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons because the myelin sheath insulates the axon and prevents the action potential from propagating along the axon. The action potential can only jump from one node of Ranvier to the next, which is why myelinated axons conduct action potentials much faster than unmyelinated axons.

Denise,a First-Year Graduate Student,is Getting Ready to Begin a Lab