Which enzyme’s function is inhibited by certain pesticides, affecting nerve impulse transmission?

The correct choice is acetylcholinesterase because this enzyme plays a vital role in the nervous system, particularly in the transmission of nerve impulses. Acetylcholinesterase is responsible for breaking down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, in the synaptic cleft after a nerve impulse has been transmitted.

When certain pesticides, particularly organophosphates and carbamates, inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the result is an accumulation of acetylcholine at nerve endings. This can lead to continuous stimulation of muscles and nerves, causing symptoms such as muscle spasms, paralysis, and in severe cases, death. Understanding the role of acetylcholinesterase is crucial in pest management, as it helps explain the mechanism by which certain pesticides operate to control pest populations.

The other enzymes listed do not have a direct role in nerve impulse transmission, which highlights the specificity of acetylcholinesterase in this context. Hemoglobin is primarily involved in oxygen transport in the blood, insulin regulates glucose metabolism, and amylase facilitates the breakdown of carbohydrates. Thus, their functions are unrelated to the inhibition effects observed with certain pesticides on the nervous system.