saltatory conduction
What saltatory conduction means in Biology A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of saltatory conduction
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Reference: OCR
Conduction enabled by the myelin sheath, formed by Schwann cells with nodes of Ranvier between them, giving faster transmission.
Depolarisation only occurs at the nodes of Ranvier, allowing the action potential to jump from node to node.
The action potential being regenerated only at the nodes, so the impulse appears to jump from node to node.
Topics that use saltatory conduction
- Nerve impulses (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Neuronal communication (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- threshold
- absolute refractory period
- All-or-nothing law and impulse frequency
- axon and dendrites
- Calcium-triggered exocytosis
- depolarisation
- differential membrane permeability
- Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic effects
Using saltatory conduction in the exam
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