10.2.2

Speed of Transmission

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Transmission of Nerve Impulses

Factors that speed up the transmission of nerve impulses include:

Myelination

Myelination

  • Schwann cells wrap around the axon of neurones to create a myelin sheath.
  • The myelin sheath acts as an electrical insulator because it is impermeable to ions (Na+ and K+).
  • Depolarisation and action potentials cannot occur at the myelinated parts of the axon and can only occur in the gaps between (the nodes of Ranvier).
  • The nervous impulse jumps from one node to the next. This is called saltatory conduction.
Temperature

Temperature

  • An increase in temperature increases kinetic energy.
  • Ions move across the membrane more rapidly when they have more kinetic energy.
Axon diameter

Axon diameter

  • Giant axons are found in the giant squid and allow it to have a rapid escape response.
  • Greater axon diameter means there is a greater surface area for the movement of ions across the cell membrane.
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Unity & Diversity - Molecules

1.1

Water

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Unity & Diversity - Cells

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The Origin of Cells

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Introduction to Cells

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Ultrastructure of Cells

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Cell Division

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Structure of DNA & RNA

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DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation

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2.7

Cell Respiration

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Photosynthesis

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2.9

Viruses

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3

Unity & Diversity - Organisms

3.1

Diversity of Organisms

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Evidence for Evolution

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Natural Selection

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Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems

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Classification

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Cladistics

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Evolution & Speciation

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Conservation of Biodiversity

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5

Form & Function - Molecules

5.1

Carbohydrates & Lipids

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5.2

Proteins

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6

Form & Function - Cells

6.1

Membranes & Membrane Transport

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Organelles & Compartmentalization

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Cell Specialization

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7

Form & Function - Organisms

7.1

Gas Exchange

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7.2

Transport

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8

Form & Function - Ecosystems

8.1

Species, Communities & Ecosytems

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8.2

Energy Flow

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8.3

Carbon Cycle

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Climate Change

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9

Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules

9.1

Enzymes

9.1.1Enzymes9.1.2Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity9.1.3Enzyme-Controlled Reactions9.1.4End of Topic Test - Enzymes
9.2

Metabolism

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9.3

Cell Respiration

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9.4

Photosynthesis

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10

Interaction & Interdependence - Cells

10.1

Chemical Signalling

10.1.1Coming Soon!
10.2

Neural Signalling

10.2.1Medical Application10.2.2Speed of Transmission10.2.3Synapses10.2.4End of Topic Test - Nervous Comm&Coord10.2.5Neuron Structure10.2.6Types of Synapse10.2.7End of Topic Test - Neurones & Action Potentials10.2.8Transmission of an Impulse10.2.9End of Topic Test - Synapses
10.3

Adaptation to Environment

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Ecological Niches

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11

Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms

11.1

Integration of Body Systems

11.1.1Plant Tropisms
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Defence Against Disease

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12

Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems

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Populations & Communities

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Transfers of Energy & Matter

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Continuity & Change - Molecules

13.1

DNA Replication

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13.2

Protein Synthesis

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Continuity & Change - Cells

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Water Potential

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15

Continuity & Change - Organisms

15.1

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Homeostasis

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Continuity & Change - Ecosystems

16.1

Natural Selection

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Stability & Change

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Practice questions on Speed of Transmission

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  1. 1
    Which of the following are NOT a factor that speeds up transmission of nerve impulses?Multiple choice
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Medical Application

Synapses