English: # Ion Channel Receptor

1. Ions
2. Ligand (such as acetylcholine)

This is an example of an ion channel-receptor. On the left, the channel is closed, because the ligand (dark purple triangle) has not binded to the receptor. When the ligand binds to the receptor, the channel opens, and the ions (orange circles) can freely flow through the membrane.

In a neuromuscular junction, these are used to transfer the action potential from the neuron to the muscle. The ligand is acetylcholine, and when it binds to the ion channel receptor on the membrane of the muscle, the channel opens and allows sodium ions to flow into the muscle.