Myelination increases the speed of conduction by decreasing the time constant and increasing the length constant.It achieves this by
A)increasing membrane resistance and decreasing capacitance.
B)increasing both membrane resistance and capacitance.
C)decreasing membrane resistance and increasing capacitance.
D)decreasing both membrane resistance and capacitance.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Myelination increases membrane resistance by insulating the axon, which decreases the time constant. It also decreases capacitance by reducing the surface area of the axon exposed to extracellular fluid, thus increasing the length constant. Therefore, the best choice is A, which states that myelination increases membrane resistance and decreases capacitance.

Myelination Increases the Speed of Conduction by Decreasing the Time