How Much Slower is Continuous Propagation Than Saltatory Propagation

The key difference between saltatory and continuous conduction is that saltatory conduction is the propagation of action potential along myelinated axons while continuous conduction is the propagation of action potential along unmyelinated axons.

Saltatory and continuous conduction are two types of transmission of action potentials along the nerves. Saltatory conduction occurs in myelinated axons from one node of Ranvier to the next node. Therefore, the action potential is only generated at the neurofibrils in myelinated axons. Hence, it is faster than continuous conduction. Continuous conduction occurs along the entire length of unmyelinated axons.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Saltatory Conduction
3. What is Continuous Conduction
4. Similarities Between Saltatory and Continuous Conduction
5. Side by Side Comparison – Saltatory vs Continuous Conduction in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Saltatory Conduction?

Saltatory conduction is the fastest way of nerve impulse transmission. It occurs in myelinated axons. Myelinated axons possess myelinated sheaths. In between myelinated sheaths, there are uninsulated spaces (segments of unmylination) called nodes of Ranvier. Therefore, nerve impulses jump from one node of Ranvier to next rather than travelling along the entire length of the axon. Therefore, nerve impulses travel fast along myelinated axons.

Figure 01: Saltatory Conduction

Moreover, salutatory conduction uses a minimum number of voltage channels compared to the continuous conduction. Hence, it prevents the delay of nerve impulses. Furthermore, salutatory conduction is more efficient since it uses less energy to maintain the resting membrane potential.

What is Continuous Conduction?

Continuous conduction is the second way of nerve impulse transmission. It occurs in unmyelinated axons. Action potential is generated along the entire length of the axon. Hence, it takes time to generate and transmit action potential.

Figure 02: Continuous vs Saltatory Conduction

Compared to salutatory conduction, continuous conduction is slow. Moreover, it utilizes more energy. Hence, it is a less efficient process. Furthermore, it delays nerve impulses since it uses a higher number of ion channels to generate an action potential.

What are the Similarities Between Saltatory and Continuous Conduction?

• Saltatory and continuous conduction are two ways of transmission of an action potential along the neurons.
• The action potential is generated in both pathways.
• Moreover, ion channels participate in both methods.

What is the Difference Between Saltatory and Continuous Conduction?

Saltatory and continuous conduction are two methods of signal transmission along the nerves. Slatatory conduction occurs via myelinated axons. In contrast, continuous conduction takes place via unmyelinated axons. So, this is the key difference between salutatory and continuous conduction.

Moreover, the nerve impulse travels between the nodes of Ranvier in saltatory conduction, while nerve impulse travels along the entire length of the axon in continuous conduction. Therefore, we can consider this too as a significant difference between saltatory and continuous conduction. Besides, energy expenditure is low in saltatory conduction while energy expenditure is high in continuous conduction.

The below infographic summarizes the difference between saltatory and continuous conduction.

Summary – Saltatory vs Continuous Conduction

Saltatory conduction takes place in myelinated axons which allow action potential to occur only at the nodes of Ranvier. Hence, the nerve impulses travel rapidly jumping from one node of Ranvier to the next node. Therefore, salutatory conduction is the fastest method of transmission of the action potential. In contrast, continuous conduction takes place in unmyelinated axons. The action potential is generated along the entire length of the unmyelinated axon. Hence, it transmits nerve impulses slowly. Moreover, salutatory conduction is more efficient since its energy expenditure is low compared to continuous conduction. So, this summarizes the difference between salutatory and continuous conduction.

Reference:

1. "Saltatory Conduction." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Sept. 2019, Available here.
2. "Saltatory Conduction." Saltatory Conduction – an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. "Propagation of action potential along myelinated nerve fiber en"By Helixitta – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. "Saltatory Conduction" By Dr Jana – (CC BY 4.0) Available here.

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