What is the Difference Between Catecholamines and Acetylcholine?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Catecholamines and acetylcholine are two different types of neurotransmitters that play essential roles in various physiological processes. The key differences between them are:
- Origin: Catecholamines are derived from the amino acid tyrosine, while acetylcholine is derived from acetylcholine A.
- Composition: Catecholamines are made up of catechol and a side chain amine, whereas acetylcholine is made up of an ester of acetic acid and choline.
- Enzyme needed for synthesis: The enzyme necessary for the synthesis of catecholamines is phenylalanine hydroxylase, whereas the enzyme necessary for the synthesis of acetylcholine is acetylcholine esterase.
Both catecholamines and acetylcholine are neurotransmitters, which are signaling molecules secreted by neurons that affect another cell across a synapse. They play crucial roles in the interaction between microbes and the immune system, as well as in various other physiological processes.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Catecholamines and Acetylcholine? Comparative Table: Catecholamines vs Acetylcholine
Comparative Table: Catecholamines vs Acetylcholine
Here is a table comparing the differences between catecholamines and acetylcholine:
Feature | Catecholamines | Acetylcholine |
---|---|---|
Origin | Derived from amino acid tyrosine | Derived from an ester of acetic acid and choline |
Composition | Made up of catechol and a side chain amine | Made up of an ester of acetic acid and choline |
Enzyme Needed | Phenylalanine hydroxylase | Acetylcholine esterase |
Function | Neurotransmitters and hormones vital to homeostasis | Acts as a neurotransmitter and a neuromodulator in the brain, and activates muscles |
Receptors | Catecholamines bind to adrenergic receptors | Acetylcholine binds to nicotinic and muscarinic receptors |
Effects | Dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine have various effects on cortical neurophysiology and the autonomic nervous system | Acetylcholine is excitatory at the neuromuscular junction and inhibitory in the heart, where it slows heart rate |
Diseases | Defects in catecholamines are associated with neurodegenerative diseases | Defects in acetylcholine are associated with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease |
Both catecholamines and acetylcholine are neurotransmitters present in all animals, including humans, and play crucial roles in the functioning of the nervous system.
Read more:
- Catecholamines vs Noncatecholamines
- Catecholamines vs Cortisol
- Acetylcholine vs Adrenaline
- Choline vs Acetylcholine
- Epinephrine vs Norepinephrine
- Adrenergic vs Cholinergic Receptors
- Neurotransmitters vs Hormones
- Neurons vs Neurotransmitters
- Cholinergic vs Anticholinergic
- Excitatory vs Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
- Atropine vs Epinephrine
- L Dopa vs Dopamine
- Neuropeptides vs Neurotransmitters
- Cortisol vs Epinephrine
- Dopamine vs Serotonin
- Muscarinic vs Nicotinic Receptors
- Neurotransmitter vs Neuromodulator
- Choline vs Phosphatidylcholine
- Choline vs Ethanolamine