Question

Could another signal be sent down the length of the neuron cell if the sodium ions and potassium ions were not returned to their original positions?

Answer 1

The answer is NO. When a nerve is depolarized it cannot transmit an impulse. It has to wait for the never cell to repolarize. This occurs when K+ ions and Na+ ions are pumped out of the cell by ATPase until the resting potential is achieved. In most nerve cells, the resting membrane potential is usually -70 mV.