English: Figure 3.2: Nicotine binds to specific receptors on the presynaptic neuron. When nicotine binds to receptors at the cell body, it excites the neuron so that it fires more action potentials (electrical signals, represented by jagged shape in lower left of figure) that move toward the synapse, causing more dopamine release (not shown in figure). When nicotine binds to nicotine receptors at the nerve terminal, the amount of dopamine released in response to an action potential is increased.~NIH