Suppose we applied a drug to a neuron that caused its sodium gates to suddenly open wide. What would happen?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Opening the sodium gates will cause depolarization of the membrane potential, followed by the initiation of an action potential if the depolarization reaches the threshold. This is because sodium influx through the open gates will cause a positive feedback loop that leads to the rapid depolarization and initiation of the action potential. Potassium gates may compensate by opening later during the repolarization phase of the action potential, but they will not prevent the initiation of the action potential in the first place. Hyperpolarization and an increase in the threshold are not expected outcomes of sodium gate opening.

Suppose We Applied a Drug to a Neuron That Caused