the transmission speed of nerve impulses Flashcards
(7 cards)
What are the three main factors that affect the speed of conductance along a neurone?
Temperature, axon diameter, myelination
How does temperature affect the speed of transmission?
Increase in temperature will increase diffusion of ions in and out the axon, speeding up the rate.
What will happen if the temperature gets too high?
Denaturation of enzymes and of the proteins in the plasma membrane will stop transmissions.
How does axon diameter affect speed of transmission?
The greater the diameter of the axon, the faster the speed of transmission.
How does myelination affect the speed of transmission?
Myelinated neurones have a faster speed of transmission as action potential jumps from one gap to the next.
What is this known as?
Saltatory conduction
What happens in non-myelinated neurones?
Depolarisation occurs along the whole membrane which will slow transmission down.
