BRAINCAKEMyelinated Neurones
Special cells called Schwann cells grow and wrap around some axons many times laying down two phospholipid bilayers each time.
The membrane contains a fatty substance called myelin. There may be up to 20 insulating layers around the axon called the myelin sheath.
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Key terms in this lesson
- Schwann cell
- A cell that wraps around an axon to form the myelin sheath, and which also carries out phagocytosis of debris and assists nerve regeneration.
- node of Ranvier
- A small gap between adjacent Schwann cells on a myelinated axon where the axon membrane is exposed and depolarisation can occur.
More in Neuronal Communication
- The Nervous System
- Neurones
- Sensory Neurones
- Motor Neurones
- Sensory Receptors
- Pacinian Corpuscles
- Generator Potential
- Resting Potential
All 38 lessons in Neuronal Communication · All AQA A-level Biology topics