= Cholinergic synapse
A <cholinergic synapse> is a <chemical synapse> that uses <acetylcholine> as a <neurotransmitter>. Release of <acetylcholine> allows it to bind receptors on the receiving <cell>. The response depends on receptor type: a <nicotinic acetylcholine receptor> is an ion channel, whereas a <muscarinic acetylcholine receptor> signals through a G protein.<Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts and others>[§12.5, acetylcholine and receptor types]{ref}
At a <neuromuscular junction>, activation of <nicotinic acetylcholine receptors> helps trigger a skeletal-muscle <action potential>. Other cholinergic pathways can change a cell's activity more slowly through <muscarinic acetylcholine receptors>. Thus naming the transmitter does not completely specify the postsynaptic effect. <Acetylcholinesterase> helps terminate signaling by breaking down <acetylcholine> in the synaptic region.<Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts and others>[§12.5, cholinergic transmission; §10.3, neuromuscular junction]{ref}
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