High School Biology : Understanding Structures of the Nervous System

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Biology

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Example Questions

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Example Question #11 : Nervous System

What are the areas of unmyelinated axon called on a neuron?

Possible Answers:

Axonal gaps

Nissl bodies

Nodes of Ranvier

Gap junctions

Schwann cells

Correct answer:

Nodes of Ranvier

Explanation:

The vast majority of neurons are myelinated (by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system) in order to allow for saltatory conduction, which greatly increases conduction speed. This occurs as the action potential "leaps" from one node of Ranvier to the next node of Ranvier rather than having to pass down the entire length of the axon. 

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