Hermokonduktio

Hermokonduktio, also known as nerve conduction, is the process by which a nerve impulse, an electrical signal, travels along a neuron. This electrical signal is generated by the movement of ions across the neuron's cell membrane. When a neuron is stimulated, ion channels open, allowing ions like sodium and potassium to flow into and out of the cell. This rapid change in ion concentration creates an electrical potential difference, known as an action potential.

The action potential then propagates down the axon, the long, slender projection of a nerve cell. In myelinated axons, this conduction is significantly faster due to a process called saltatory conduction. Myelin is a fatty insulating sheath that surrounds the axon at intervals, leaving gaps called nodes of Ranvier. The action potential "jumps" from one node to the next, greatly increasing the speed of transmission. In unmyelinated axons, the action potential propagates continuously along the entire length of the membrane.

Hermokonduktio is fundamental for all nervous system functions, including sensory perception, motor control, and cognitive processes. The speed and efficiency of nerve conduction are crucial for rapid responses to stimuli and coordinated bodily functions. Disruptions in hermokonduktio can lead to various neurological disorders.