acetylcholine (usēt"ulkō'lēn) [key], a small organic molecule liberated at nerve endings as a neurotransmitter. It is particularly important in the stimulation of muscle tissue. The transmission of an impulse to the end of the nerve causes it to release neurotransmitter molecules onto the surface of the next cell, stimulating it. After such release, the acetylcholine is quickly broken into acetate and choline, which pass back to the first cell to be recycled into acetylcholine again. The poison curare acts by blocking the transmission of acetylcholine. Some nerve gases operate by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine causing continual stimulation of the receptor cells, which leads to intense spasms of the muscles, including the heart. Acetylcholine is often abbreviated as Ach.
VR
2006-10-01 01:13:19
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answer #1
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answered by sarayu 7
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ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE. Acetylcholinesterase, also known as AChE, is an enzyme that degrades (through its hydrolytic activity) the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, producing choline and an acetate group. It is mainly found at neuromuscular junctions and cholinergic synapses in the central nervous system, where its activity serves to terminate synaptic transmission. AChE has a very high catalytic activity — each molecule of AChE degrades about 5000 molecules of acetylcholine per second. The choline produced by the action of AChE is recycled — it is transported, through reuptake, back into nerve terminals where it is used to synthesize new acetylcholine molecules. Acetylcholinesterase is the target of many nerve gases, particularly the organophosphates (e.g., Sarin). These agents — known as cholinesterase inhibitors — block the function of acetylcholinesterase, and thus cause excessive acetylcholine to accumulate in the synaptic cleft. The excess acetylcholine causes neuromuscular paralysis (i.e. interminable muscle contractions) throughout the entire body, leading to death by asphyxiation.
2016-04-06 10:20:47
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answer #2
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answered by ? 4
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When acetylcholine is released into the synaptic cleft, it is fighting a battle between stimulating nicotinic or muscarinic cholinergic receptors and being degraded by acetylcholinesterase. Cholinesterase degrades ACh to acetate and choline, both of which are taken up by the nerve ending that released the ACh to begin with. This reaction is, in fact, one of the current targets for drug therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Aricept, and some other AD drugs are cholinesterase inhibitors. The effect being that if we can increase the time that ACh remians in the synaptic cleft before being degraded, then neurotransmission will be augmented.
2006-10-01 02:55:34
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answer #3
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answered by Gene Guy 5
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The removal of acetylcholine (Ach) from a synapse in order to restore it to its resting state is accomplished in part by diffusion but mainly by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which hydrolyzes acetylcholine in acetate and choline, which pass back to the first cell to be recycled into acetylcholine again.
2006-10-01 01:22:25
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answer #4
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answered by g m 1
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When a nerve impulse reaches the end of a nerve, the Acetylcholine vesicles bind to the synaptic edge and release it to the synapse. It diffuses across and starts the impulse. It is then degraded by Cholinase and diffuses back where an acetyl group reacts with Choline to form Ach again.
2006-10-01 03:53:14
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answer #5
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answered by Sarab s 3
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An enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, breaks acteylcholine into choline and acetic acid. The choline is eventually recycled back to acetyl choline by reaction with acetyl CoA.
2006-10-01 01:13:30
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answer #6
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answered by novangelis 7
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2017-02-24 06:05:35
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answer #7
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answered by Arlene 3
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