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Action potential conduction velocity is slowest in which of the following fibers?

1) A fibers
2) fibers
3) fibers
4) the conduction velocity is the same for all three fibers

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Action potential conduction is slowest in C fibers, which are unmyelinated as opposed to the faster-conducting myelinated A and B fibers.

Step-by-step explanation:

Action potential conduction velocity is slowest in unmyelinated fibers. When comparing different types of nerve fibers, C fibers are typically the slowest.

These are small-diameter, unmyelinated nerves that carry action potentials at a much lower speed compared to A fibers, which are larger and myelinated, and B fibers, which are also myelinated though smaller than A fibers.

Conduction velocity varies among different fibers due to factors such as diameter and the presence or absence of myelin insulation.

Myelinated fibers tend to conduct action potentials more rapidly through a process known as saltatory conduction. In contrast, unmyelinated fibers utilize continuous conduction, which is slower because the action potential must propagate along every segment of the axon membrane.

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