Which type of conduction occurs in non-myelinated fibers?

Non-myelinated fibers primarily utilize continuous conduction. This mode of conduction involves the propagation of action potentials along the nerve axon in a smooth, uninterrupted manner. In non-myelinated fibers, the action potential is generated at every segment of the axon, causing a wave-like depolarization that travels along the membrane.

This process contrasts with saltatory conduction, which occurs in myelinated fibers where action potentials jump from one node of Ranvier to another, allowing for faster transmission. As a result, continuous conduction is generally slower compared to saltatory conduction.

Understanding the nature of continuous conduction in non-myelinated fibers is crucial because it highlights the differences in conduction velocities and mechanisms depending on whether the fibers are myelinated or not.