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Related Concept Videos

Action Potentials01:41

Action Potentials

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Overview
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Action Potential01:31

Action Potential

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Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
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Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

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Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
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Propagation of Action Potentials01:23

Propagation of Action Potentials

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The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
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Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers01:24

Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers

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Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...
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Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation01:28

Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation

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The action potential is a complex electrical event that occurs in excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. It consists of several distinct phases, each with specific characteristics.
Resting Phase:
In this phase, the cell's membrane is at its resting potential, typically around -70 millivolts (mV) for neurons. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration of sodium ions (Na+). Voltage-gated sodium channels are closed, and...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Use of In Vivo Single-fiber Recording and Intact Dorsal Root Ganglion with Attached Sciatic Nerve to Examine the Mechanism of Conduction Failure
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Evolution of rapid nerve conduction.

Ann M Castelfranco1, Daniel K Hartline1

  • 1Békésy Laboratory of Neurobiology Pacific Biosciences Research Center University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 1993 East-West Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States.

Brain Research
|February 17, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nerve impulse conduction evolved from simple diffusion to complex electrical signaling, culminating in myelin. This review traces the evolutionary path of rapid nerve communication and myelin

Keywords:
Calcium spikeDiffusionElectrotonic conductionGiant axonMyelin evolutionSodium spike

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Rapid nerve impulse conduction is crucial for organismal survival and environmental interaction.
  • The evolution of rapid communication mechanisms predates myelin, with deep roots in simpler signaling strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To trace the evolutionary sequence of rapid nerve impulse conduction mechanisms.
  • To explore the innovations within myelin evolution that enhance conduction speed.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on the evolution of biological communication and nerve conduction.
  • Analysis of key innovations in signaling modalities, ion channels, axon structure, and myelin formation.

Main Results:

  • Nerve communication evolved from diffusion to transport-facilitated and electrical signaling.
  • Key developments include voltage-gated channels, all-or-none impulses, and specialized elongate axons.
  • Myelin evolution involved innovations like layer addition, sealing, space limitation, and optimization of channel density, node, and internode lengths.

Conclusions:

  • Rapid nerve conduction is a product of a deep evolutionary history of communication strategies.
  • Myelin represents a refined stage in this evolution, with specific innovations interactively optimized for speed.
  • Several governing design principles underlie the evolution of rapid impulse conduction.