Final answer:
Dopamine binds to receptor proteins on the membrane of the postsynaptic cell in the nerve synapse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that causes long-term responses in neurons and binds to a G-protein-linked receptor. When dopamine is released into the nerve synapse, it binds to receptor proteins on the membrane of the postsynaptic cell. This binding triggers a series of events that may lead to changes in the postsynaptic cell's membrane potential, resulting in either excitatory or inhibitory effects.