After binding acetylcholine, the AChR responds by an extensive change in conformation that affects all subunits and leads to opening of an ion-conducting channel across the plasma membrane (By similarity). Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the MC pharyngeal motor neuron involved in pharyngeal pumping (PubMed:15020415, PubMed:8601480). Has a role in the determination of life span possibly via calorific restriction which affects growth rate, although this is independent of metabolic activity (PubMed:8462849, PubMed:9789046, PubMed:15141086, PubMed:28853436, PubMed:30965033). Plays a role in the defense against the accumulation of ingested live pathogenic bacteria in the intestine (PubMed:30965033). Neuronal AChR seems to be composed of two different type of subunits: alpha and beta. MC motor neuron. Expressed in pharyngeal muscle. Worms exhibit a lack of MC neurotransmission possibly explaining the observed reduction in pharyngeal pumping rate (PubMed:15020415). Mutants show differences in their pharyngeal responses to nicotine (PubMed:15020415). A variety of mutants show an increase in lifespan ranging from 29-57% longer than wild-type (PubMed:15141086, PubMed:28853436). Extended self-fertile reproductive span, fast body movement, and a longer pharyngeal pumping span (PubMed:15141086). The strongest allele (ad1113) shows retarded growth (PubMed:15141086). Animals generally have smaller nucleoli (PubMed:28853436). Double knockout with ncl-1 reduces the increased longevity and suppresses the reduced nucleoli size phenotype of the eat-2 single mutant, and reduces the increased ribosomal protein synthesis in the ncl-1 single mutant (e1942) (PubMed:28853436). Belongs to the ligand-gated ion channel (TC 1.A.9) family. Acetylcholine receptor (TC 1.A.9.1) subfamily.