Synthesis: Acetylcholine is synthesized in the nerve terminal from acetyl-CoA and choline.

The
enzyme choline acetyltransferase catalyzes this reaction. The acetyl-CoA is produced from
pyruvate within the mitochondria of cholinergic nerves1.

Storage: Once synthesized, ACh is stored in vesicles within the nerve terminal. These vesicles
protect ACh from degradation by enzymes in the cytoplasm and ready it for release1.

Release: When an action potential arrives at the nerve terminal, it causes the opening of
voltage-gated calcium channels. The influx of calcium ions triggers the fusion of ACh-containing
vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, leading to the release of ACh into the synaptic cleft1.

Metabolism: After ACh has been released and has acted on the postsynaptic receptors, it is
rapidly broken down by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase into choline and acetate. This
termination of ACh’s action prevents continuous stimulation of the postsynaptic cell1.

Formation of Thyroid Hormones: Thyroid hormones are synthesized in the thyroid gland’s
follicular cells. The process involves:

● Iodide Uptake: Iodide is actively absorbed from the bloodstream and transported into
the follicular lumen.
● Oxidation and Iodination: Iodide is oxidized to iodine and then attached to tyrosine
residues in thyroglobulin to form monoiodotyrosine (MIT) and diiodotyrosine (DIT).

● Coupling: Two DIT molecules combine to form T4 (thyroxine), while one MIT and one
DIT molecule combine to form T3 (triiodothyronine).

Storage of Thyroid Hormones:

Thyroglobulin Complex: T3 and T4 remain bound to thyroglobulin and are stored in the colloid of
the thyroid follicles.
Release of Thyroid Hormones:

Proteolysis: When needed, thyroglobulin is endocytosed and cleaved by proteases, releasing

T3 and T4 into the bloodstream.

Regulation:

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Secreted by the anterior pituitary, TSH regulates the
synthesis and release of thyroid hormones.