A nerve impulse is an electrical signal that travels along the axon of a neuron, allowing communication between nerve cells. This process begins when a neuron is stimulated, causing a change in its membrane potential. If the change is strong enough, it triggers an action potential, which is a rapid rise and fall in voltage that propagates along the nerve fiber.
As the nerve impulse moves, it can transmit information about sensations, thoughts, or motor commands. The speed of this impulse can vary depending on factors like the diameter of the axon and whether it is myelinated, which refers to the presence of a fatty sheath that insulates the nerve fiber.
