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Why do neurones only have one axon?

Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Medicine. Anything human!

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Why do neurones only have one axon?

Postby startanewww » Thu Sep 27, 2012 11:39 am

I have just learnt about neurones. I wonder why neurones have only one axon. Can they transmit nerve impulses faster and more rapidly when they have more axons? Does having more axons help in coordination? Could anyone tell me why neurons have only one axons? Thanks in advance.
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Postby Drredfrizzle » Sun Nov 11, 2012 7:46 pm

I think more than 1 would cause more issues than it would solve firstly the action potential can spread to multiple other neurones at a synapse and transmit signals very fast. I think what you actually want to know is would having multiple axons on a neurone speed up transmission of a nerve impulse and the answer to this i do not believe to be yes because neurones are insulated ( some are anyway) with a substance called myelin this enables very fast transmission and has gaps at regular intervals called nodes of ranvier where diffusion of ions can occur. If we had lots of axons there would be loads of gaps and the action potentials or nerve impulses would become reduced and would probably not transmit a signal strong enough to trigger a response. It is and interesting idea but i think one axon enables quicker more effective transmission.
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