acetylcholine
UK[ˌasɪtʌɪlˈkəʊliːn]US[əˌsiːtəlˈkoʊliːn]
n
a compound that occurs throughout the nervous system, functioning as a neurotransmitter by which nerve cells communicate with muscles and other nerve cells.
Morpheme Breakdown
acetyl
choline
acetyl
chemical group
choline
chemical compound
Etymology
the word acetylcholine is a modern scientific compound, meticulously constructed from established chemical terminology. the first part, 'acetyl', traces its lineage to the latin 'acetum' for vinegar, reflecting its derivation from acetic acid. the second part, 'choline', originates from the greek 'cholē', meaning bile, as the substance was first isolated from bile. the fusion of these two morphemes in the late 19th century logically denotes the specific chemical entity where an acetyl group is attached to the choline molecule, perfectly describing its structure and distinguishing it within neurochemistry.
Analysis
Structure: acetyl (chemical group) + choline (chemical compound)
- acetyl: from latin 'acetum' (vinegar) via german 'acetyl', denoting the acetic acid radical. functions as a chemical prefix.
- choline: from greek 'cholē' (bile), with the chemical suffix '-ine'. functions as the core name of a specific organic base.
Examples
acetylcholine is released at the synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber.
drugs that block the action of acetylcholine are used in some surgical procedures.
the degeneration of neurons that produce acetylcholine is associated with alzheimer's disease.