Myelinated Nerve
by Thomas Deerinck, Ncmir/science Photo Library
Title
Myelinated Nerve
Artist
Thomas Deerinck, Ncmir/science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a longitudinal section through a myelinated nerve fibre. Myelin (dark blue) is an insulating fatty layer that surrounds nerve fibres (axons), increasing the speed at which nerve impulses travel. It is formed when Schwann cells wrap around the fibre, depositing layers of myelin between each coil. At varying intervals along the length of the fibre are gaps, called nodes of Ranvier (centre). Nerve impulses, travelling along the axon as electrical action potentials, jump from node to node in a process known as saltatory conduction.
Uploaded
May 11th, 2022
Embed
Share
Comments
There are no comments for Myelinated Nerve. Click here to post the first comment.