acetylcholine

American  

[uh-seet-l-koh-leen, uh-set-] / əˌsit lˈkoʊ lin, əˌsɛt- /

noun

1. Biochemistry. the acetic acid ester of choline, C 7 H 17 NO 3 , released and hydrolyzed during nerve conduction and causing muscle action by transmitting nerve impulses across synapses.

2. Pharmacology. this substance used in its chloride form in eye surgery. ACh

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acetylcholine British  

/ ˌæsɪtaɪlˈkəʊliːn, -lɪn /

noun

1. a chemical substance secreted at the ends of many nerve fibres, esp in the autonomic nervous system, and responsible for the transmission of nervous impulses. Formula: CH 3 CO 2 (CH 2 ) 2 N (CH 3 ) 3 ⁺

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acetylcholine Scientific  

/ ə-sēt′l-kō′lēn′ /

1. A substance that is released at the junction between neurons and skeletal muscle fibers, at the nerve endings of the parasympathetic nervous system, and across synapses in the central nervous system, where it acts as a neurotransmitter. Chemical formula: C ₇ H ₁₆ NO ₂ .

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Other Word Forms

• acetylcholinic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of acetylcholine

First recorded in 1905–10; acetyl + choline

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

acetylcholine

In experiments with rats, the researchers found that eating nutrient-rich foods increased the release of acetylcholine in neurons connected to the hippocampus.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

"The greater the increase in acetylcholine the more likely the mice were to change their future choices. Our results demonstrated the importance of acetylcholine in breaking habits and enabling new choices to be made."

From Science Daily ● Jun. 8, 2026

Caffeine blocks adenosine, a chemical that slows the activity of important brain messengers such as dopamine and acetylcholine.

From Science Daily ● May 13, 2026

The researchers also found that tuft cells release acetylcholine in two separate phases.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 28, 2026

By this means a precise balance is struck and the body never builds up a dangerous amount of acetylcholine.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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