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Acetylcholine (ACh) is an organic compound that functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain and body of many types of animals, including humans. It is the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is part of the autonomic nervous system. ACh activates muscles by stimulating muscle contraction and movement. This occurs when ACh is released into the neuromuscular junction, where it combines with a receptor molecule in the postsynaptic membrane of a muscle fibre, changing the permeability of the membrane and causing channels to open that allow positively charged sodium ions to flow into the muscle cell.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Role | Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that activates muscles |
| Function | Acetylcholine is released into the neuromuscular junction, where it combines with a receptor molecule in the postsynaptic membrane of a muscle fibre, changing the permeability of the membrane, causing channels to open that allow positively charged sodium ions to flow into the muscle cell |
| Effects of drugs | Drugs that affect cholinergic systems can have dangerous effects, ranging from paralysis to convulsions |
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What You'll Learn
- Acetylcholine is released into the neuromuscular junction
- It combines with a receptor molecule in the postsynaptic membrane of a muscle fibre
- This changes the permeability of the membrane
- Channels open, allowing positively charged sodium ions to flow into the muscle cell
- Successive nerve impulses accumulate, activating sodium channels along the end-plate membrane and causing muscle cell contraction
Acetylcholine is released into the neuromuscular junction
Acetylcholine (ACh) is an organic compound that functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain and body of many types of animals, including humans. It is the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the autonomic nervous system that contracts smooth muscles, dilates blood vessels, increases bodily secretions, and slows heart rate.
ACh is released into the neuromuscular junction, a specialised connection between muscles and nerves. By passing over this junction, ACh stimulates muscle contraction and movement. When a nerve impulse arrives at the terminal of a motor neuron, ACh is released into the neuromuscular junction. It combines with a receptor molecule in the postsynaptic membrane of a muscle fibre, changing the permeability of the membrane and causing channels to open that allow positively charged sodium ions to flow into the muscle cell. If successive nerve impulses accumulate at a sufficiently high frequency, sodium channels along the end-plate membrane become fully activated, resulting in muscle cell contraction.
The neuromuscular junction is also the site of action for many drugs, toxins, and venoms, which can cause harm by inactivating or hyperactivating muscles. For example, drugs that act on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, such as atropine, can be poisonous in large quantities, but in smaller doses, they are used to treat certain heart conditions and eye problems.
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It combines with a receptor molecule in the postsynaptic membrane of a muscle fibre
Acetylcholine (ACh) is an organic compound that functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain and body of many types of animals, including humans. It is the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is part of the autonomic nervous system. ACh is released into the neuromuscular junction, a specialised connection between muscles and nerves, and stimulates muscle contraction and movement.
When ACh is released into the neuromuscular junction, it combines with a receptor molecule in the postsynaptic membrane of a muscle fibre. This changes the permeability of the membrane, causing channels to open that allow positively charged sodium ions to flow into the muscle cell. If successive nerve impulses accumulate at a sufficiently high frequency, sodium channels along the end-plate membrane become fully activated, resulting in muscle cell contraction.
ACh is also involved in other functions of the autonomic nervous system, such as contracting smooth muscles, dilating blood vessels, increasing bodily secretions, and slowing heart rate. Due to its muscle-activating function, many important drugs exert their effects by altering cholinergic transmission. For example, drugs that act on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, such as atropine, can be used to treat certain heart conditions and eye problems. However, in large quantities, these drugs can be poisonous.
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This changes the permeability of the membrane
Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter that activates muscles in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). It does this by passing over the neuromuscular junction, a specialised connection between muscles and nerves.
When a nerve impulse arrives at the terminal of a motor neuron, ACh is released into the neuromuscular junction. It combines with a receptor molecule in the postsynaptic membrane of a muscle fibre, changing the permeability of the membrane. This causes channels to open, allowing positively charged sodium ions to flow into the muscle cell. If successive nerve impulses accumulate at a sufficiently high frequency, sodium channels along the end-plate membrane become fully activated, resulting in muscle cell contraction.
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Channels open, allowing positively charged sodium ions to flow into the muscle cell
Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter that activates muscles. It does this by passing over the neuromuscular junction, a connection between muscles and nerves. When acetylcholine combines with a receptor molecule in the postsynaptic membrane of a muscle fibre, it changes the permeability of the membrane, causing channels to open. This allows positively charged sodium ions to flow into the muscle cell. If successive nerve impulses accumulate at a sufficiently high frequency, sodium channels along the end-plate membrane become fully activated, resulting in muscle cell contraction.
The neuromuscular junction is a specialised connection between muscles and nerves. Acetylcholine is released into this junction, stimulating muscle contraction and movement. For example, when you pick up an object, acetylcholine sends a message to the tiny muscles in your hand to contract, allowing you to grasp and hold the object firmly.
Acetylcholine is the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is part of the autonomic nervous system. It contracts smooth muscles, dilates blood vessels, increases bodily secretions, and slows the heart rate.
Drugs that affect cholinergic systems, such as those that act on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, can have dangerous effects on muscle function, ranging from paralysis to convulsions.
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Successive nerve impulses accumulate, activating sodium channels along the end-plate membrane and causing muscle cell contraction
Acetylcholine (ACh) is an organic compound that functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain and body of many types of animals, including humans. It is the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is part of the autonomic nervous system.
ACh is released into the neuromuscular junction, a specialised connection between muscles and nerves. Here, it combines with a receptor molecule in the postsynaptic membrane of a muscle fibre, changing the permeability of the membrane and causing channels to open. This allows positively charged sodium ions to flow into the muscle cell.
If successive nerve impulses accumulate at a sufficiently high frequency, sodium channels along the end-plate membrane become fully activated, resulting in muscle cell contraction. This is how ACh activates muscles.
The muscle-activating function of ACh means that drugs that affect cholinergic systems can have dangerous effects, ranging from paralysis to convulsions.
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Frequently asked questions
Acetylcholine (ACh) is an organic compound that functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain and body of many types of animals, including humans.
Acetylcholine is released into the neuromuscular junction, where it combines with a receptor molecule in the postsynaptic membrane of a muscle fibre. This changes the permeability of the membrane, causing channels to open that allow positively charged sodium ions to flow into the muscle cell. If successive nerve impulses accumulate at a sufficiently high frequency, sodium channels along the end-plate membrane become fully activated, resulting in muscle cell contraction.
The neuromuscular junction is a specialised connection between your muscles and your nerves.
The role of acetylcholine in the brain and central nervous system is not as well understood as its role in muscle movement. However, it is known to be the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is part of the autonomic nervous system.
Acetylcholine contracts smooth muscles, dilates blood vessels, increases bodily secretions, and slows heart rate.
