Final answer:
Saltatory conduction is the fast node-to-node 'jumping' regeneration of an action potential along a myelinated axon due to myelin acting as an insulator and the presence of voltage-gated channels at the nodes of Ranvier.
Step-by-step explanation:
The node-to-node 'jumping' regeneration of an action potential along a myelinated axon is called saltatory conduction. This process is much faster than continuous conduction, which occurs in unmyelinated axons. In saltatory conduction, the action potential leaps from one node of Ranvier to the next, thanks to the presence of voltage-gated Na+ channels that regenerate the depolarized membrane at these points.
The myelination of the axon serves as an insulator, preventing current from leaking and thus increasing the action potential conduction speed. Additionally, the diameter of the axon can influence the speed of conduction, with wider axons offering less resistance, akin to how water flows faster in a wide river compared to a narrow one.