Why are myelinated axons faster than unmyelinated axons?

Myelinated axons are faster than unmyelinated axons because the myelin sheath acts as an insulator, allowing for faster transmission of electrical signals along the axon. This insulation helps to prevent signal loss and allows the electrical impulse to "jump" from one node of Ranvier to the next, a process known as saltatory conduction, which speeds up the transmission of the signal.