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Discontinuous covering of myelin sheath ...

Discontinuous covering of myelin sheath of nerve fibres helps in :-

A

Continuous conduction of nerve impulse

B

Nerve impulse become slow due to discontinuous sheath

C

Nerve impulse become fast due to saltatory conduction

D

There is no conduction of nerve impulse

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The correct Answer is:
### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Understanding Myelin Sheath**: The myelin sheath is a protective covering that surrounds the axons of many neurons. It is not continuous; instead, it has gaps known as nodes of Ranvier. 2. **Function of the Myelin Sheath**: The primary role of the myelin sheath is to insulate the axon, which helps in the efficient transmission of nerve impulses. 3. **Discontinuous Nature of Myelin Sheath**: The discontinuous nature of the myelin sheath means that there are segments of myelin followed by gaps (nodes). This arrangement is crucial for a specific type of conduction. 4. **Saltatory Conduction**: The presence of these gaps allows for a process known as saltatory conduction. In this process, the nerve impulse "jumps" from one node of Ranvier to the next, rather than traveling continuously along the axon. 5. **Speed of Impulse Transmission**: Saltatory conduction significantly increases the speed of nerve impulse transmission. This is because the action potential only needs to be generated at the nodes, which are fewer in number compared to the length of the axon. 6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the discontinuous covering of the myelin sheath helps in the rapid transmission of nerve impulses through saltatory conduction. ### Final Answer: The discontinuous covering of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers helps in **increasing the speed of nerve impulse transmission due to saltatory conduction**. ---
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