Science question about myelinated neurons. anyone know the answer?
By aquarina
@aquarina (172)
United States
September 24, 2008 2:34pm CST
So, I know that myelination allows for faster conduction through the neuron. I also know that some of our neurons are unmyelinated (in the brain and spinal cord, right?).So what is the reason for us having unmyelinated neurons?
My teacher asked us to write a one page paper on what the implications were if ALL our neurons were myelinated. What would happen? (And he seemed to take great pleasure in knowing this would be really difficult to answer b/c it's hard to find research. gr).
Any smarty science people out there want to help me? Any ideas? Thanks
1 person likes this
2 responses
@know21 (1250)
• United States
24 Sep 08
Nerve fibers which are myelinated conduct impulses faster and so when the impulse has to travel a long distance, for example to your big toe and back then speed is important. However, a lot of impulses only have to travel short distances and so there is no real advantage in having these myelinated.
Nothing much would happen if all nerve fibres were myelinated - some receptors are not myelinated eg. Pacinian Corpuscle in the skin and these may not be so effective.
@aquarina (172)
• United States
24 Sep 08
oh here's a thought! I think i might have an answer to write about for my paper.
Ok so... I remembered that myelinated fibers are able to regenerate themselves after injury and nd unmyelinated fibers are not. Soooo.... if the neurons in the CNS (brain and spinal cord) were myelinated, they would be able to regenerate after injury and thus it would be much less severe for someone to get a brain or spinal cord injury. The damage to the individual would not be permanent because the myelenated fibers would regenerate.
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
24 Sep 08
Interesting question, and informative answer. I don't usually learn anything new on Mylot. I never knew that some neurons were unmyelinated. So, apparently practical distances between areas of the brain and areas of the spine are pretty different. Considering the length of the spine, I wouldn't have expected distances there to be considered short. Live and learn.
