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

"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

While most released more acetylcholine, some small clusters of cells showed little change or even a decrease in activity.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 8, 2026

To test whether acetylcholine was truly responsible for this behavioral flexibility, the team reduced the animals' ability to produce the neurotransmitter.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 8, 2026

They are a rich source of choline, which the body uses to produce compounds such as acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine that are essential for memory and communication between brain cells.

From Science Daily ● May 7, 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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