Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
- 2. Chemistry3h 37m
- 3. Water1h 26m
- 4. Biomolecules2h 23m
- 5. Cell Components2h 26m
- 6. The Membrane2h 31m
- 7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
- 8. Respiration2h 40m
- 9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
- 10. Cell Signaling59m
- 11. Cell Division2h 47m
- 12. Meiosis2h 0m
- 13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
- Introduction to Mendel's Experiments7m
- Genotype vs. Phenotype17m
- Punnett Squares13m
- Mendel's Experiments26m
- Mendel's Laws18m
- Monohybrid Crosses19m
- Test Crosses14m
- Dihybrid Crosses20m
- Punnett Square Probability26m
- Incomplete Dominance vs. Codominance20m
- Epistasis7m
- Non-Mendelian Genetics12m
- Pedigrees6m
- Autosomal Inheritance21m
- Sex-Linked Inheritance43m
- X-Inactivation9m
- 14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
- 15. Gene Expression3h 6m
- 16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
- Introduction to Regulation of Gene Expression13m
- Prokaryotic Gene Regulation via Operons27m
- The Lac Operon21m
- Glucose's Impact on Lac Operon25m
- The Trp Operon20m
- Review of the Lac Operon & Trp Operon11m
- Introduction to Eukaryotic Gene Regulation9m
- Eukaryotic Chromatin Modifications16m
- Eukaryotic Transcriptional Control22m
- Eukaryotic Post-Transcriptional Regulation28m
- Eukaryotic Post-Translational Regulation13m
- 17. Viruses37m
- 18. Biotechnology2h 58m
- 19. Genomics17m
- 20. Development1h 5m
- 21. Evolution3h 1m
- 22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
- 23. Speciation1h 37m
- 24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
- 25. Phylogeny2h 31m
- 26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
- 27. Protists1h 12m
- 28. Plants1h 22m
- 29. Fungi36m
- 30. Overview of Animals34m
- 31. Invertebrates1h 2m
- 32. Vertebrates50m
- 33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
- 34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- 35. Soil37m
- 36. Plant Reproduction47m
- 37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
- 38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
- 39. Digestive System1h 10m
- 40. Circulatory System1h 49m
- 41. Immune System1h 12m
- 42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- 43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- 44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- 45. Nervous System1h 55m
- 46. Sensory Systems46m
- 47. Muscle Systems23m
- 48. Ecology3h 11m
- Introduction to Ecology20m
- Biogeography14m
- Earth's Climate Patterns50m
- Introduction to Terrestrial Biomes10m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Near Equator13m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Regions10m
- Terrestrial Biomes: Northern Regions15m
- Introduction to Aquatic Biomes27m
- Freshwater Aquatic Biomes14m
- Marine Aquatic Biomes13m
- 49. Animal Behavior28m
- 50. Population Ecology3h 41m
- Introduction to Population Ecology28m
- Population Sampling Methods23m
- Life History12m
- Population Demography17m
- Factors Limiting Population Growth14m
- Introduction to Population Growth Models22m
- Linear Population Growth6m
- Exponential Population Growth29m
- Logistic Population Growth32m
- r/K Selection10m
- The Human Population22m
- 51. Community Ecology2h 46m
- Introduction to Community Ecology2m
- Introduction to Community Interactions9m
- Community Interactions: Competition (-/-)38m
- Community Interactions: Exploitation (+/-)23m
- Community Interactions: Mutualism (+/+) & Commensalism (+/0)9m
- Community Structure35m
- Community Dynamics26m
- Geographic Impact on Communities21m
- 52. Ecosystems2h 36m
- 53. Conservation Biology24m
45. Nervous System
Neurons and Action Potentials
Problem 2
Textbook Question
Which of these statements about myelination in neurons is/are correct? Select True or False for each statement.
T/FIt speeds propagation by increasing the density of voltage-gated channels all along the axon.
T/FMultiple sclerosis is characterized by disrupted myelination of certain neurons in the central nervous system.
T/FIt speeds propagation by preventing cations from leaking out across the membrane as they spread down the axon.
T/FIt is more commonly observed in vertebrates than in invertebrates.

1
Understand the role of myelination in neurons: Myelination is the process by which a fatty layer, called myelin, accumulates around nerve fibers (axons). This layer acts as an insulator and is crucial for the efficient transmission of electrical signals along the neuron.
Evaluate the first statement: 'It speeds propagation by increasing the density of voltage-gated channels all along the axon.' Myelination actually reduces the need for voltage-gated channels along the axon, concentrating them at the nodes of Ranvier, which are gaps in the myelin sheath. This allows for faster signal transmission through saltatory conduction.
Consider the second statement: 'Multiple sclerosis is characterized by disrupted myelination of certain neurons in the central nervous system.' Multiple sclerosis is indeed a disease where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath in the central nervous system, leading to disrupted signal transmission.
Analyze the third statement: 'It speeds propagation by preventing cations from leaking out across the membrane as they spread down the axon.' Myelination prevents the leakage of ions, including cations, across the axonal membrane, which helps maintain the strength and speed of the electrical signal.
Review the fourth statement: 'It is more commonly observed in vertebrates than in invertebrates.' Myelination is a characteristic more commonly found in vertebrates, as it is a key adaptation for efficient nerve signal transmission in larger and more complex nervous systems.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Myelination and Signal Propagation
Myelination refers to the process by which a fatty layer, called myelin, accumulates around nerve fibers. This myelin sheath acts as an insulator, allowing electrical signals to travel more quickly and efficiently along the axon by preventing cations from leaking out. It facilitates saltatory conduction, where action potentials jump between nodes of Ranvier, rather than propagating continuously along the axon.
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Multiple Sclerosis and Myelination
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, characterized by the disruption of myelination. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath, leading to impaired signal transmission, which can result in a variety of neurological symptoms. This demyelination disrupts the normal flow of electrical impulses, causing communication issues between the brain and the rest of the body.
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Myelination in Vertebrates vs. Invertebrates
Myelination is more commonly observed in vertebrates than in invertebrates. Vertebrates have evolved complex nervous systems that require rapid and efficient signal transmission, which is facilitated by myelinated axons. In contrast, invertebrates often rely on different mechanisms for nerve signal propagation, as their nervous systems are generally less complex and do not require the same level of speed and efficiency.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Test your understanding of the nervous system by matching the following labels with their corresponding letters: CNS, effector cells, interneuron, motor neuron, PNS, sensory neuron, sensory receptor, spinal cord, synapse.
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