Enables acetylcholine receptor activity and acetylcholine-gated monoatomic cation-selective channel activity. Involved in regulation of egg-laying behavior; regulation of locomotion; and transmembrane transport. Located in neuron projection; neuronal cell body; and postsynaptic membrane. Expressed in body wall musculature; dorsal nerve cord; nerve ring; ventral cord neurons; and ventral nerve cord. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in several diseases, including congenital myasthenic syndrome (multiple); lung disease (multiple); and nicotine dependence. Is an ortholog of human CHRNA1 (cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 1 subunit); CHRNA3 (cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 3 subunit); and CHRNA6 (cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 6 subunit).