Page 63 - The Miracle of Electricity in the Body

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Axon

Node of Ranvier

Dendrites

Node of
Ranvier

The protein channels on
the cell membrane are
collected in the nodes of
Ranvier, where the myelin
sheath is interrupted. The electrical
potential that forms in the cell mem-
Nucleus brane is transmitted when it jumps from one
of these nodes to the next. This special de-
sign created by God increases the speed of
Cell body message transmission between neurons.
Myelin sheath

The myelin sheath serves like insulation, permitting nerve impulses to
travel more quickly. In the absence of this sheath, or when it has suffered
damage, messages cannot be transmitted to or from the brain.

signals cannot be transmitted along until the damage gets repaired.
In progressive cases, the disease can lead to partial or total
paralysis—an important example of the importance of the
myelin sheath.

THE WISDOM OF CREATION OF THE NODES OF
RANVIER

In human beings, nerve signals can generally travel at 100
meters (328 feet) a second. How is such a speed achieved?
40
The secret lies in the way the myelin sheath is installed,
being interrupted at points known as the Nodes of
Ranvier. There is approximately one node, a few mi-
crons (1/1000 millimeter = 0.0000039 of an inch)
wide, every millimeter (0.039inch) on this sheath.