About Caffeine
StructureCaffeine (C8H10N4O2) is a white odorless central nervous system stimulant that is found in many foods. It is a purine, and therefore has a double ringed crystalline organic base. Purines consist of a pyrimidine ring (found in nitrogenous bases thymine, uracil, and cytosine) fuzed with an imidazole ring. Imidazole rings contains two nitrogen atoms and two double bonds, and when synthesized with pyrimidine ring, it forms the most abundant nitrogen containing heterocycle in nature (purine). Other purines include the nitrogenous bases adenine and guanine found in DNA and RNA. Therefore, caffeine has a similar structure to these substances. The function of all purines is to aid in the production of DNA/RNA/proteins/starches, regulate enzymes, or regulate cell signaling. So, caffeine acting as a stimulant in the nervous system is a result of its involvement in cell signaling. Caffeine isn't, however, naturally found in nature: it has to be synthesized during processes occurring within a plant.
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Caffeine Stats
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Uses
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