Answer
There are two types of propagation of action potential down the
axon.
- Saltatory propagation
- Continuous propagation
1) Saltatory propagation
- It occurs on myelinated axon (The axon is
surrounded by myelin sheath).
- The action potential jumps from one node of
Ranvier to other in order to move forward.
- Saltatory conduction is rapid.
- This is more efficient as it uses less number
of ion channels.
- Much less energy is utilized in saltatory
propagation.
2) Continuous propagation
- It occurs on unmyelinated axon (The axon
do not contain myelin sheath).
- The action potential move along entire length
of the axon.
- Continuous conduction is slow.
- This is less efficient as it uses more number
of ion channels.
- More energy is utilized in continuous
propagation.