nicotinic receptor

n. The site of action of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, and at preganglionic synapses in the sympathetic nervous system. This receptor site is stimulated directly by ionic action, a more rapid level of activation than the slower metabotropic muscarinic receptor for acetylcholine. The ionic action opens channels in the neural membrane for a direct excitatory effect on neural transmission. Curare (South 
American arrow tip poison) inhibits nicotinic cholinergic receptor sites. – VS