What adaptation allows nerve cells to transmit information rapidly?

Myelination is a crucial adaptation that enables nerve cells, or neurons, to transmit information rapidly. Myelin is a fatty substance that forms a protective sheath around the axons of many neurons. This sheath acts as an insulator, which significantly increases the speed at which electrical impulses, or action potentials, travel along the nerve cells.

The presence of myelin allows for saltatory conduction, a process whereby nerve impulses jump from one node of Ranvier (gaps in the myelin sheath) to the next. This jumping significantly speeds up the transmission of signals compared to unmyelinated fibers, where the impulse travels continuously along the entire length of the axon. As a result, myelination not only enhances speed but also improves the efficiency of communication between nerve cells, making it essential for the rapid response times required in many physiological processes.