Which neurotransmitter(s) is/are used by sympathetic postganglionic neurons?

a. Epinephrine

b. Norepinephrine

c. Acetylcholine

d. Both a and b

e. All of the above

Video transcript

Hi, everyone. Let's take a look at this practice problem together. Epinephrine and norepinephrine work with the sympathetic nervous system. What is the neurotransmitter primarily used by the parasympathetic nervous system? The answer options are a nicotine B, acetylcholine C, Muscarine and D GABA to help us talk through this pro problem. I'll be putting up a flow chart on the screen as I go through it. So, recall that the autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Both of these systems use different neurotransmitters as their primary chemical messengers. Now, as the question, sts, epinephrine and norepinephrine are the primary neurotransmitters for the sympathetic nervous system. These neurotransmitters bind what's called renergie receptors. Andre ergic receptors have two types alpha or beta and both epinephrine and norepinephrine bind both types of renergie receptors. Now, in the parasympathetic pathway receptors are called cholinergic cholinergic receptors are either nicotinic or muscarinic nicotinic receptors bind the neurotransmitter, nicotine and muscarinic receptors bind the neurotransmitter muscarine. However, both types of cholinergic receptors bind the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. So options A through C are all neurotransmitters of the parasympathetic nervous system. Now, option D Gaba recall this is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. So, option D we can go ahead and eliminate now out of options A through C what is the primary neurotransmitter for the parasympathetic nervous system? So, it's going to be acetylcholine because acetylcholine combined all cholinergic receptors. So it is the primary neurotransmitter. The correct answer is option B acetylcholine. All right, everyone. I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem.