Isolation of the axon is a key mechanism for reducing wear and tear on the nerve impulse on its way from the soma to the synapse.
This insulation is made by wrapping the axons with the famous layers of myelin, which wrap around the axon. The effectiveness of this process makes the conductivity of axons covered with myelin higher than axons without myelin.
These myelin sheaths are produced by two types of glial cells: oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral system. That is, it is not something that the neuron itself makes. And it is such an important coating that when it fails, diseases can occur, such as the most common form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which is a disease that affects the peripheral nerves.
You can see all the chapters of the Neuropill series by entering here
About Neuropills:
Created, directed and presented by Pablo Barrecheguren (@pjbarrecheguren), Neuropíldoras (2018) is a scientific dissemination project made by Big Van Ciencia in collaboration with Muy Interesante and carried out with the collaboration of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology – Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (FECYT).
