Which peripheral nervous system glial cell forms the myelin around axons?

Which peripheral nervous system glial cell forms the myelin around axons?

• A. Schwann cell
• B. Neuron
• C. Muscle fiber
• D. Nucleus

Answer: (A)

In the peripheral nervous system, the myelin sheath around axons is produced by Schwann cells. These glial cells wrap their membranes around a single axon segment, creating the insulating layer that speeds up electrical signals through saltatory conduction at the nodes of Ranvier. The Schwann cell is specialized for myelinating peripheral nerves, whereas in the central nervous system myelin is formed by oligodendrocytes. The other options aren’t responsible for forming myelin: a neuron is the nerve cell that transmits signals, a muscle fiber is part of muscle tissue, and a nucleus is the cellular structure containing genetic material.

In the peripheral nervous system, the myelin sheath around axons is produced by Schwann cells. These glial cells wrap their membranes around a single axon segment, creating the insulating layer that speeds up electrical signals through saltatory conduction at the nodes of Ranvier. The Schwann cell is specialized for myelinating peripheral nerves, whereas in the central nervous system myelin is formed by oligodendrocytes.

The other options aren’t responsible for forming myelin: a neuron is the nerve cell that transmits signals, a muscle fiber is part of muscle tissue, and a nucleus is the cellular structure containing genetic material.