Final answer:
Action potential involves depolarization followed by repolarization of the neuron's axon as neural impulses travel. Myelinated axons enable faster signal propagation through saltatory conduction, jumping between nodes of Ranvier, while unmyelinated axons have continuous conduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject being discussed here is the action potential and its propagation down a neuron's axon, a fundamental process in the conduction of nerve impulses in neural communication. During an action potential, after an initial depolarization where sodium (Na+) ions rush into the neuron, the membrane repolarizes as potassium (K+) ions flow out.
Following depolarization, the Na+ channels inactivate, and more K+ channels open, preventing immediate subsequent depolarization. This process ensures the one-way directional flow of the action potential towards the synapse. In myelinated axons, this conductive process is known as saltatory conduction because the action potential 'jumps' from one node of Ranvier to the next, significantly increasing signal speed.
In contrast, unmyelinated axons exhibit a continuous conduction along the entire membrane. The axon's diameter is also important in this process; larger diameters allow for less resistance in ion diffusion and therefore faster signal transmission.