Final answer:
The myelin sheath is the lipid-rich layer surrounding axons, produced by glial cells, which enables efficient transmission of nerve impulses and provides protection from chemical and physical interferences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The coating of the cells that facilitates the transmission of information and protects the axon from potential chemical and physical interference to the electric impulses is known as the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is a lipid-rich layer that encases the axon, akin to insulation around an electrical wire, allowing for faster and more efficient signal transmission. This sheath is essential for the proper functioning of neurons, particularly in preventing signal loss or interference as the nerve impulse travels along the axon.
Myelin sheaths are produced by glial cells—oligodendrocytes in the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Schwann cells in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)—and are rich in lipids, aiding in the rapid propagation of electrical signals with minimal dissipation. The presence of regularly spaced gaps, known as nodes of Ranvier, enables impulses to 'jump' along the axon, thus significantly speeding up the process of electrical conduction.