Myelin

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Revision as of 17:05, 22 November 2013 by 130064943 (talk | contribs) (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.)
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Myelin is composed of <a href="Protein">proteins</a> and lipids, and its main function is to insulate nerve fibres, where it is named the myelin sheath.

This means that electrical impulses can go down the nerves more efficiently than nerves without myelin. 

Diseases associated with myelin breakdown

  • <a href="Alzheimer's disease">Alzheimer's Disease </a>
  • <a href="Multiple Sclerosis">Multiple Sclerosis </a>

And many other demyelinating diseases, where the bodys own immune system attacks the myelin forming the myelin sheath and so nerves become uninsulated. 

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