Question

Explain the properties of nerve fibres.

Hint:

Myelinated nerve fibres conduct impulses faster due to saltatory conduction at nodes of Ranvier.

Answer 1

Nerve fibres (axons) transmit nerve impulses due to specific properties: 1. Excitability: Ability to respond to stimuli (e.g., chemical, electrical) by generating action potentials. 2. Conductivity: Ability to propagate action potentials along the axon without decrement. 3. All-or-none response: An action potential is triggered only if the stimulus reaches threshold; its strength is constant. 4. Refractory period: Time after an action potential during which the fibre cannot (absolute) or is less likely to (relative) respond to a new stimulus. 5. Summation: Temporal (rapid successive stimuli) or spatial (multiple stimuli) summation can trigger an action potential.