Myelin
Definition
Myelin is a fatty substance that wraps around nerve fibers (axons) to insulate them and increase transmission speed of neural signals.
Analogy
Imagine myelin as insulation on electrical wires. Just like how insulation prevents electricity from leaking out and increases its speed along a wire, myelin prevents neural signals from dissipating and speeds up their travel along an axon.
Related terms
Axon: This is a long threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells.
Schwann Cells: These cells produce myelin in peripheral nervous system (outside brain & spinal cord).
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A disease where immune system attacks myelin sheath leading to communication problems between brain & rest body.
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