If the chemically gated sodium channels in the postsynaptic membrane were completely blocked,
A) synaptic transmission would fail.
B) release of neurotransmitter would stop.
C) smaller action potentials would result.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Chemically gated sodium channels allow the influx of sodium ions into the postsynaptic cell, which contributes to the depolarization of the membrane potential and the generation of an action potential. If these channels were completely blocked, the influx of sodium ions would be prevented, and the membrane potential would not depolarize sufficiently to generate an action potential. Therefore, synaptic transmission would fail. The release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic neuron is not directly affected by the blockade of the sodium channels in the postsynaptic membrane.

If the Chemically Gated Sodium Channels in the Postsynaptic Membrane