CVS Practice Test

Acetylcholinesterase is an important enzyme in the nervous system that specifically breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. When acetylcholine is released into the synaptic cleft to transmit signals between neurons or from neurons to muscles, it must be rapidly broken down to terminate the signal and ensure that the neurotransmitter does not continue to stimulate the receptors.

The correct breakdown products of acetylcholine are acetate and choline. This enzymatic reaction is crucial for recycling choline, which can be reassembled into acetylcholine for future neurotransmission, maintaining efficient communication in the nervous system. The acetate portion can also be utilized in various metabolic pathways in the body.

In contrast, the other choices presented include substances that have no direct relation to the breakdown of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase. For example, acetone and ethylene are organic compounds related to different chemical processes, while amino acids and essential fatty acids pertain to nutritional biochemistry rather than neurotransmission. Similarly, norepinephrine and epinephrine are catecholamines involved in the body's response to stress and are not products of acetylcholine degradation. Thus, understanding the specific role of acetylcholinesterase highlights the necessity for its activity in correctly regulating neuronal communication