During an action potential, the charge seems to "jump" from node to node rather than flow continuously down the axon, a process known as:

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Biology

Rolando Bolton

9 May, 06:25

During an action potential, the charge seems to "jump" from node to node rather than flow continuously down the axon, a process known as:

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Paul Christensen · Answer 1

Saltatory Conduction

During an action potential, the charge seems to "jump" from node to node rather than flow continuously down the axon, a process known as: Saltatory Conduction.

Saltatory conduction is the faster distribution of action potentials across myelinated axons from one node of Ranvier (breaks in the wrapping of myelin insulation) to another node, which leads to increased speed of action potentials. The only area along the axon where ions are exchanged is the uninsulated nodes of Ranvier.