At the molecular level, the myelin sheath increases the distance between extracellular and intracellular ions, reducing the accumulation of electrical charges. The discontinuous structure of the myelin sheath results in the action potential "jumping" from one node of Ranvier over a long (c. 0.1 mm – >1 mm, or 100–1000 micron) myelinated stretch of the axon called the internodal segment or "internode", before "recharging" at the next node of Ranvier. This 'jumping' continues until the action potential reaches the axon terminal. Once there, the electrical signal provokes the release of chemical neurotransmitters across the synapse, which bind to receptors on the post-synaptic cell (e.g. another neuron, myocyte or secretory cell).
at the molecular level the myelin sheath increases the distance between extracellular and intracellular ions reducing the accumulation of electrical charges the discontinuous structure of the myelin sheath results in the action potential "jumping" from one node of ranvier over a long (c 01 mm – >1 mm or 100–1000 micron) myelinated stretch of the axon called the internodal segment or "internode" before "recharging" at the next node of ranvier this 'jumping' continues until the action potential reaches the axon terminal once there the electrical signal provokes the release of chemical neurotransmitters across the synapse which bind to receptors on the post-synaptic cell (eg another neuron myocyte or secretory cell)