GLOSSARY

Acetylcholine (ACh) is the main neurotransmitter at the skeletal neuromuscular junction, carrying the motor neuron’s signal to the muscle fibre.

Synthesis and Breakdown

• Synthesis: made in the nerve terminal from acetyl coenzyme A and choline by the enzyme choline acetyltransferase and stored in vesicles.
• Breakdown: after acting, it is broken down within milliseconds by acetylcholinesterase into acetate and choline, and choline is taken back up for resynthesis.

Receptors