Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, illustration - stock illustration

Illustration of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) binding to two molecules of nicotine (orange). This transmembrane receptor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine controls electrical signalling between nerve and muscle cells, resulting in muscle contraction. Binding of acetylcholine or nicotine opens the channel at the centre of the receptor molecule, allowing positively charged ions to move through it into the muscle cell