Myelinated nerves conduct impulses ___________ than unmyelinated nerves.

Prepare for the Nerve Conduction Exam. Study with multiple choice questions, hints, and detailed explanations. Boost your confidence and get ready for success!

Myelinated nerves conduct impulses faster than unmyelinated nerves due to the presence of the myelin sheath, which insulates the axon. This insulation allows for a process called saltatory conduction, where the nerve impulse jumps from one node of Ranvier (gaps in the myelin sheath) to another. This jumping significantly speeds up the transmission of the impulse compared to unmyelinated fibers, where the impulse must travel along the entire length of the axon in a continuous manner.

The speed of conduction in myelinated fibers can be several times greater than that of unmyelinated fibers, facilitating quicker reflexes and more efficient communication throughout the nervous system. Understanding the differences in conduction speeds is crucial in the study of neurophysiology and has implications for understanding various neurological conditions.

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