Final answer:
Nick's axon is likely thick and myelinated, which allows for faster transmission of nerve impulses due to the insulating properties of the myelin sheath and reduced resistance in a thicker axon.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nick the neuron is likely boasting about faster message transmission because his axon is most likely thick and myelinated. The myelin sheath acts as an insulator that allows nerve impulses to be transmitted more quickly and efficiently by a process called saltatory conduction. The impulses effectively "jump" from one Node of Ranvier to the next, making the transmission faster than in unmyelinated neurons. Additionally, the thicker the axon, the less resistance the ions face within, enabling quicker signal propagation.
Myelination helps prevent signals from jumping between adjacent nerves, minimizing cross talk. This, combined with accelerated signal transmission due to less energy consumption, explains why myelinated axons are superior in speed. So, if Nick’s axon is myelinated and thicker compared to Nell’s, it would rightly result in a faster transmission of nerve impulses.