What is acetylcholine broken down into?

What is acetylcholine broken down into?

• A. Acetic acid and choline
• B. Acetate and choline
• C. Lactic acid and choline
• D. Water and choline

Answer: (A)

Acetylcholine is broken down by acetylcholinesterase through hydrolysis, yielding choline and an acetyl group that becomes acetate. In physiological conditions this product is typically present as acetate, though some texts refer to it as acetic acid—the two forms are interconvertible depending on pH. That’s why the correct option pairs choline with acetic acid/acetate. The other possibilities don’t reflect this reaction: lactic acid isn’t involved in acetylcholine breakdown, and water isn’t produced as a separate product in this context (water is consumed in the hydrolysis, not generated).

Acetylcholine is broken down by acetylcholinesterase through hydrolysis, yielding choline and an acetyl group that becomes acetate. In physiological conditions this product is typically present as acetate, though some texts refer to it as acetic acid—the two forms are interconvertible depending on pH. That’s why the correct option pairs choline with acetic acid/acetate.

The other possibilities don’t reflect this reaction: lactic acid isn’t involved in acetylcholine breakdown, and water isn’t produced as a separate product in this context (water is consumed in the hydrolysis, not generated).