A drug that blocks Na+ channels in neurons does so not only in the axon but also in the dendrites and cell body. What overall effect would this have on action potential generation?

Video transcript

Hey, everyone. Let's take a look at this question together. When the activation gates open, it permits the influx of sodium ions into the neuron through the channels causing the voltage across the neuronal membrane to increase this increase constitutes to what is it? Answer choice. A the resting state. Answer choice B the rising phase of an action potential. Answer choice C the falling phase of an action potential or answer choice D the cancellation of an action potential. Let's work this problem out together to try to figure out which of the following answer choices best describes that increase of the voltage across the neuronal membrane when the activation gates open, permitting the influx of sodium ions. So in order to solve this question, we have to recall what we have learned about that increase of the voltage across the neuronal membrane to determine which of the following answer choices best explains what that voltage increase constitutes. And we know that the increase in voltage refers to the depolarization of the membrane which that depolarization of the neuronal membrane best describes the b beginning of the action potential of which the beginning is also referred to as the rising phase. Therefore, the voltage across the neuronal membrane increasing constitutes the rising phase of an action potential. So answer choice B is the correct answer and all other answer choices are incorrect. I hope you found this video to be helpful. Thank you and goodbye.