Which term describes the ability to acetylcholine to activate multiple receptors?

Which term describes the ability to acetylcholine to activate multiple receptors?

• A. Biphasic
• B. Monophonic
• C. Unifunctional
• D. Selective

Answer: (A)

Two receptor systems are involved: nicotinic and muscarinic. When acetylcholine activates both, you get two distinct phases in the overall response—an initial fast phase followed by a slower, separate phase. That two-phase pattern is described as biphasic. So, this term fits best because it captures the dual-phase effect arising from engaging multiple receptor types. The other terms don’t fit as well. Monophonic would imply a single, uniform receptor or signal without a second phase. Unifunctional suggests one function or role, and Selective means targeting one receptor type preferentially, not the broad activation of multiple receptors.

Two receptor systems are involved: nicotinic and muscarinic. When acetylcholine activates both, you get two distinct phases in the overall response—an initial fast phase followed by a slower, separate phase. That two-phase pattern is described as biphasic. So, this term fits best because it captures the dual-phase effect arising from engaging multiple receptor types.

The other terms don’t fit as well. Monophonic would imply a single, uniform receptor or signal without a second phase. Unifunctional suggests one function or role, and Selective means targeting one receptor type preferentially, not the broad activation of multiple receptors.