Dick said:


"It makes zero difference if there is anything else present to compete for the binding site.  To be irreversible binding MUST be via covalent bonds, which would be highly unusual."


With all due respect, no.  I'm not a good chemist, Dick (meaning that's not my degree, and I have to think hard about chemistry), but I am a decent physiologist.  The conditions in the synapse preclude any useful degradation of the bond between the neonic and the receptor, because the binding coefficient of the neonic is so much greater than that of the native acetylcholinesterase that there is no contest.  That translates to "irreversible", given ambient conditions and lifespan of the bee.

Christina


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