Question

Action potentials propagate more rapidly along the myelinated axons than along the non-myelinated axons because of the uneven distribution of:

• A. Leakage channels
• B. Ligand gated channels
• C. Mechanical gated channels
• D. Voltage gated channels

Answer 1

The correct option is D Voltage gated channels

Action potentials propagate more rapidly along the myelinated axons than along the non-myelinated axons because of the uneven distribution of voltage gated channels.

Few voltage gated channels are present in the regions where a myelin sheath covers the axolemma. At the nodes of ranvier (where myelin sheath is absent), the axolemma has many voltage gated channels. Hence, the current carried by sodium and potassium ions flows across the membrane mainly at the nodes.