What is saltatory conduction?

Saltatory conduction refers to the process by which action potentials propagate along myelinated axons by "jumping" from one Node of Ranvier to another. Myelination insulates the axon and creates gaps known as Nodes of Ranvier, which are rich in voltage-gated sodium channels. When an action potential is generated, the electrical impulse does not travel continuously along the entire length of the axon. Instead, it depolarizes the membrane at the nodes, allowing the signal to leap over the insulated areas of the myelin sheath. This mechanism significantly increases the speed of signal transmission compared to unmyelinated axons, where the conduction occurs continuously along the entire membrane. Thus, saltatory conduction is crucial for efficient neural communication in the nervous system, enhancing performance in various physiological functions.