Question

Why is the mode of conduction of electrical impulse along the myelinated neurons advantageous to a non-myelinated neuron? What is this type of conduction called?

Answer 1

Conduction along the myelinated neurons is called saltatory conduction. This is energetically economical for the cell because there is far less membrane depolarisation for the ion pumps to deal with. Since the lipid-rich myelin acts as an insulator, the action potential jumps from one node of Ranvier to the other. So conduction is rapid and occurs at the rate of 120m/sec. in large diameter neurons.