Final answer:
The inactivation of potassium channels in a peripheral chemoreceptor leads to cell depolarization, contributing to a potential action potential for impulse generation. Thus, the option D is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a peripheral chemoreceptor is activated, and the potassium channels of the cell are inactivated, the immediate outcome is D) Cell depolarization. This inactivation prevents potassium ions (K+) from exiting the cell, which contributes to a rise in the positive charge inside the cell relative to the outside. As the inside of the cell becomes more positive, depolarization occurs. This change in membrane potential can lead to the generation of an action potential, as the neuron reaches a threshold level for firing. This action potential then travels along the neuron, transmitting a signal. To summarize, when potassium channels are inactivated, the arrest in K+ outflow contributes to depolarization, setting the stage for potential neuronal impulse generation.