Periodic-als Molecule Profile

olecule Selected:
M
caffeine
Why did you select this Molecule:
I want to know what's behind the
caffeine, and look at all the different components of it.

How is this Molecule is important/relevant to your life?

we consume
caffeine almost everyday in our lives. my mom always has her
coffee every morning so I see it often.

facts source 1
source 1 title:
all about caffeine
MLA citation:
"AllaboutCaffeine."CoffeeandHealth.N.p.,n.d.Web.30Sept.
2014.
1.

Moderate caffeine consumption, of around 400 mg caffeine or the

equivalent of up to 5 cups of coffee per day.

2.

is found in half the beverages we drink.

3.

caffeine can have

withdrawal effects
and impact on your health if you
have too much.

4.

Caffeine is actually a stimulant drug which makes the central nervous

system in your body speed up the messages to and from the brain.

5.

It is a substance found in the leaves, seeds or fruit of a number of

plants, such as coffee and tea plants.

6.

A wide range of food and drinks contain caffeine, including chocolate,

soft drinks, energy drinks, tea and coffee.

7.

can also be taken in capsules, tablets, or powder form.

8.

The effects of caffeine differ from person to person, depending on

your age, body size and general health. If you are pregnant,
consuming caffeine might affect your pregnancy, if you regularly have
caffeine you might have different reactions than if you have caffeine
only occasionally.

9.

short term effects: takes 5-30 minutes to circulate around the body.
Small to medium amounts of caffeine, up to 300 mg, can speed up the
brain and the central nervous system so that you feel more awake

10.

long term effects: some research has shown links between heavy use
(more than 350 mg) of caffeine and high blood pressure, heart
disease, heartburn, ulcers, severe insomnia and infertility.

11.

If you consume too much caffeine it is possible that you might have
serious health consequences. Consuming a huge amount of caffeine
can even be fatal in extreme circumstances however, this is very rare.

12.

Caffeine is considered addictive. It causes withdrawal symptoms after

you stop after having it regularly (most commonly headaches) and
you can experience cravings when you stop having it.

13.

Regular users can also become emotionally and mentally dependent

upon their daily caffeine (coffee, energy drinks, etc)

14.

Often caffeine pills or energy drinks such as No Doz or Red Bull are
taken by people during exam or study periods in an effort to stay
awake and alert to study more.

15.

caffeine isn't a substitute for a proper nights sleep and really doesn't
help you in the long run. At the end of a study period if you've had

heaps of coffee you might find you have difficulty sleeping or that you
are moody and irritable.

facts source 2

source 2 title:
caffeine chemistry
MLA citation:
"DoYouKnowHowCaffeineWorksinYourBody?"
About
.N.p.,n.d.Web.
30Sept.2014.

1.

Caffeine (C8H10N4O2) is the common name for trimethylxanthine

2.

The chemical is also known as coffeine, theine, mateine, guaranine,

or methyltheobromine.

3.

The molecule was first isolated by the German chemist Friedrich

Ferdinand Runge in 1819.

4.

When purified, caffeine is an intensely bitter white powder. It is

added to colas and other soft drinks to impart a pleasing bitter note.

5.

A normal dose of caffeine is generally considered to be 100 mg, which

is roughly the amount found in a cup of coffee.

6.

America's most popular drug.

7.

Caffeine is believed to work by blocking adenosine receptors in the

brain and other organs. This reduces the ability of adenosine to bind
to the receptors, which would slow down cellular activity.

8.

The stimulated nerve cells release the hormone epinephrine

(adrenaline), which increases heart rate, blood pressure, and blood
flow to muscles, decreases blood flow to the skin and organs, and
causes the liver to release glucose

9.

10.

Caffeine also increases levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Too much caffeine can result in caffeine intoxication, which is

characterized by nervousness, excitement, increased urination,
insomnia, flushed face, cold hands/feet, intestinal complaints, and
sometimes hallucinations.

11.

The lethal ingested dose, for an adult person, is estimated to be 13-19

grams. While generally considered safe for people, caffeine can be
very toxic to household pets, such as dogs, horses, or parrots.

12.

caffeine is included in many over-the-counter headache remedies.

13.

Caffeine is a naturally occurring chemical compound.

14.

Over 450,000,000 cups of coffee are consumed in the USA every day!

15.

It's this dopamine effect that is the root of caffeine's addictive

properties.