Myelin: Difference between revisions
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Myelin serves a very important purpose in the mammalian [[ | Myelin serves a very important purpose in the mammalian [[Central nervous system|central nervous system]]. It is a membrane made from [[Protein|proteins]] and [[Lipid|lipids]]. In addition to this, myelin is primarily located on [[Axon|axons]] of [[Neurone|neurones]] ([[Myelin sheath|myelin sheath]]) and in the form of a layer<ref>http://www.news-medical.net/health/Myelin-Function.aspx</ref>. | ||
Myelin prevents the dissipation of the depolarisation wave and current leakage by insulating axon from loss of charged [[ | Myelin prevents the dissipation of the depolarisation wave and current leakage by insulating axon from loss of charged [[Ions|ions]] ([[Potassium|K<sup>+</sup>]]), thus allowing an increase of action potential transmission. | ||
=== Diseases associated with myelin breakdown === | === Diseases associated with myelin breakdown === | ||
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*[[Multiple Sclerosis|Multiple Sclerosis ]] | *[[Multiple Sclerosis|Multiple Sclerosis ]] | ||
And many other demyelinating diseases, where the body's own immune system attacks the myelin forming the myelin sheath and so nerves become un-insulated. | And many other demyelinating diseases, where the body's own immune system attacks the myelin forming the myelin sheath and so nerves become un-insulated. Un-insulated nerves transmit [[Action_potentials|action potentials]] very slowly, due to the lack of [[Saltatory_conduction|saltatory conduction]]. | ||
=== References === | === References === | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Latest revision as of 16:05, 16 October 2018
Myelin serves a very important purpose in the mammalian central nervous system. It is a membrane made from proteins and lipids. In addition to this, myelin is primarily located on axons of neurones (myelin sheath) and in the form of a layer[1].
Myelin prevents the dissipation of the depolarisation wave and current leakage by insulating axon from loss of charged ions (K+), thus allowing an increase of action potential transmission.
Diseases associated with myelin breakdown
And many other demyelinating diseases, where the body's own immune system attacks the myelin forming the myelin sheath and so nerves become un-insulated. Un-insulated nerves transmit action potentials very slowly, due to the lack of saltatory conduction.