What is the primary neurotransmitter involved in activating brown adipose tissue during cold exposure?

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Multiple Choice

What is the primary neurotransmitter involved in activating brown adipose tissue during cold exposure?

Explanation:
Cold exposure drives non-shivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue through sympathetic nerve activity. Norepinephrine released from these nerves binds to beta-adrenergic receptors on brown adipocytes, raising cAMP and activating protein kinase A. This triggers lipolysis and upregulates UCP1, the mitochondrial protein that uncouples oxidative phosphorylation to generate heat. The result is heat production rather than ATP. Acetylcholine is not the main driver of BAT activation, and dopamine or GABA don’t play the primary role in this cold-triggered thermogenic pathway.

Cold exposure drives non-shivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue through sympathetic nerve activity. Norepinephrine released from these nerves binds to beta-adrenergic receptors on brown adipocytes, raising cAMP and activating protein kinase A. This triggers lipolysis and upregulates UCP1, the mitochondrial protein that uncouples oxidative phosphorylation to generate heat. The result is heat production rather than ATP. Acetylcholine is not the main driver of BAT activation, and dopamine or GABA don’t play the primary role in this cold-triggered thermogenic pathway.

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