from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
acetylcholine \acetylcholine\ n.
1. a neurotransmitter released by the transmitting dendron at
autononmous synapses and at neuromuscular junctions. It is
a quaternary amine with an obligatory negative counterion.
The nominal formula for the hydroxide form is {C7H17NO3}.
Structural formula {(CH3)3N(+)CH2CH2.O.CO.CH3.OH(-)}.
Note: Acetylcholine is the first recognized and best-studied
of the neurotransmitters. At receptors it is recycled
into choline by the action of acetylcholinesterase.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors therefore function as
nerve poisons. For biochemical studies it is prepared
typically in the chloride or bromide forms.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]