Saltatory Conduction

Question

Saltatory conduction
A) is called "saltatory" because it is caused by sodium chloride
B) is much slower than nonsaltatory conduction
C) occurs only in the dendrites
D) occurs only in the axons

Accepted Answer

Saltatory conduction occurs only in the axons. It is called "saltatory" because the action potential appears to jump from one node of Ranvier to the next, allowing for faster conduction than nonsaltatory conduction. Sodium ions play a crucial role in this process by entering the axon at the node of Ranvier and depolarizing the membrane potential, leading to the propagation of the action potential down the axon.