Final answer:
Succinylcholine mimics acetylcholine, causing initial muscle contractions followed by flaccid paralysis due to desensitization of the receptor. It is different from agents like Sarin, which cause muscle fatigue and paralysis by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and thus accumulating acetylcholine. Succinylcholine is used for temporary muscle relaxation during surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effect of succinylcholine on acetylcholine (ACh) involves its role as a neuromuscular blocker. Succinylcholine acts by mimicking ACh at the neuromuscular junction, but unlike ACh, it is not readily degraded by acetylcholinesterase. This results in a prolonged activation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and causes sustained muscle contraction, initially leading to muscle fasciculations and then it causes flaccid paralysis by desensitizing the receptor to further stimulation.
Unlike nerve agents like Sarin that irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, causing an accumulation of ACh and continuous stimulation of muscles until they fatigue and can't contract anymore succinylcholine causes temporary paralysis by a different mechanism, making it useful for surgical procedures requiring muscle relaxation.