Impact of Sodium Channel Blockade on Action Potentials

Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system, capable of transmitting signals throughout the body. An important aspect of neuron function is the generation and propagation of action potentials, which rely on the controlled flow of ions across the neuron's membrane. Understanding the ionic exchanges that occur during the phases of an action potential is crucial for grasping how signals are relayed in the nervous system.

Consider a neuron at rest, maintaining a resting membrane potential of approximately -70 mV. Upon receipt of a sufficient stimulus, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions (Na⁺) to flow into the cell. This influx causes depolarization, leading to the rapid rise in membrane potential. Subsequently, potassium channels open, permitting potassium ions (K⁺) to exit, which repolarizes the membrane. If a drug were to block only the sodium channels, disrupting the influx of Na⁺, how would this affect the action potential generation?