has primary input has small molecule activator acetylcholine monoatomic cation excitatory extracellular ligand-gated monoatomic ion channel activity ligand-gated channel activity acetylcholine-gated monoatomic cation-selective channel activity Selectively enables the transmembrane transfer of a cation by a channel that opens upon binding acetylcholine. GO:0016904 nAChR GO:0022848 nicotinergic acetylcholine receptor activity ionotropic acetylcholine receptor activity acetylcholine-gated cation channel activity acetylcholine-gated cation-selective channel activity GO:0004889 acetylcholine-activated cation-selective channel activity molecular_function nicotinic acetylcholine-activated cation-selective channel activity ligand-gated monoatomic cation channel activity transmitter-gated monoatomic ion channel activity involved in regulation of postsynaptic membrane potential