Acetylcholine

What is the abbreviation for Acetylcholine?

ACh

What enzyme is required for the synthesis of Acetylcholine?

Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT)

What are the two precursors needed for Acetylcholine synthesis?

Acetyl-CoA and choline

How is Acetylcholine stored in neurons?

It is packaged in small vesicles loaded by the Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter (VAchT).

What enzyme breaks down Acetylcholine?

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)

Why is it crucial to break down Acetylcholine quickly?

To prevent prolonged muscle contraction and ensure rapid clearing of the synaptic cleft.

What happens when Acetylcholine is blocked?

It leads to muscle contraction failure.

What role does choline play in the reuptake process?

Choline is a precursor needed to remake Acetylcholine.

What is the effect of AChE inhibitors on Acetylcholine levels?

They increase Acetylcholine levels.

What is Physostigmine and its dual role?

It is an AChE inhibitor that can treat glaucoma but can be toxic systemically.

What are Neostigmine and Pyridostigmine?

Synthetic analogues of Physostigmine that do not cross the blood-brain barrier.

What is the Basal Forebrain Cholinergic System (BFCS) responsible for?

Movement, learning, and memory.

What type of receptors do Nicotinic receptors represent?

Ionotropic receptors that mediate fast excitatory responses.

What happens when Acetylcholine binds to Nicotinic receptors?

The ion channel opens, allowing Na+ and Ca2+ to enter the neuron or muscle cell.

What are Muscarinic receptors?

Metabotropic receptors with five types (M1-M5).

What is a key difference between reversible and irreversible drugs?

Reversible drugs can bind and unbind, while irreversible drugs bind permanently to receptors.

What are the effects of Sarin and Soman?

They bind to receptors irreversibly, preventing normal Acetylcholine function.