Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)

Acetylcholine

Transmission of nerve impulses in PNS

Cholinergic receptor binds acetylcholine (2 types of cholinergics):

Nicotine receptors and Muscarinic receptors

Nicotine Receptors Location

In ganglia of PNS and SNS

Muscarinic Receptors Location

Located postsynaptically in the effector organs (i.e., smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands) supplied by the parasympathetic fibers

Direct-acting cholinergic agonists

Bind directly to cholinergic receptors and activate them

Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists

Stimulate the postsynaptic release of acetylcholine at the receptor site