In a nerve cell, if sodium-potassium pumps are blocked, which of the following is most likely to happen?

N a^{+}

and

K^{+}

will increase outside the cell

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N a^{+}

outside the cell will increase

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N a^{+}

inside the nerve cell will increase

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K^{+}

inside the nerve cell will increase

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Solution

The correct option is C $N a^{+}$ inside the nerve cell will increase
During resting membrane potential, the sodium-potassium pump transports 3 $N a^{+}$ outwards for 2 $K^{+}$ into the nerve cell. This works against the concentration gradient by utilising ATP.

If the sodium-potassium pump is blocked, then the concentration of sodium ions inside the cell will increase.

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