Pharmacology
Parasympathetic Neurotransmission
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Get accessAcetylcholine is the major neurotransmitter: formed from choline and acetyl coenzyme A (CoA)
- Inactivated by acetylcholinesterase to acetic acid and choline
- Two receptor types
- Muscarinic: at the effect organs (postganglionic)
- G-protein coupled receptor
- Nicotinic: ganglionic synapses and neuromuscular junction
- Ligand-gated ion channel
ACh binds receptors and changes the polypeptide configuration creating a hydrophilic channel that traverses the lipid bilayer allowing sodium and potassium to enter the cell