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Nicotine

Nicotine is a chemical substance, known as a liquid alkaloid, found in tobacco leaves, roots, and seeds.

Chemical Formula: C₁₈H₂₁N₁O₃

Other names: 7,8-Didehydro-4,5alpha-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6alpha-ol

Layman's explanation: Nicotine was first observed in 1809 by a French Scientist, Vauquelin. In 1828, Poselt and Reimann, from Heidelberg s University, were the first to isolate and purify nicotine. In 1895, Adolf Pinner revealed and acquired the structure of nicotine known today. The first studies of the metabolism of nicotine were in the 1950s. Nicotine binds to receptors of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which the brain uses to control basic bodily functions, including muscle movement, heartbeat and breathing. Nicotine is used to treat headaches, asthma, gout, earaches, labor pains, and cancer. It is also used to regulate people s moods and feelings and to control body weight.

Keywords: alkaloid, tobacco, acetylcholine

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