nicotine receptor

Nicotine receptors are specialized proteins located on nerve cells in the nervous system. They act like lock-and-key sites, where the chemical nicotine from tobacco binds, triggering the nerve cells to send signals. These receptors play a key role in how nicotine affects the brain, influencing feelings of pleasure, alertness, and addiction. They are also involved in other bodily functions such as muscle movement and heart rate regulation. Overall, nicotine receptors are crucial components that help nerves communicate, and their activation by substances like nicotine explains many of the effects of tobacco use.