Molecular Biology
Caffeine
Caffeine is a molecule found in the seeds, nuts, and leaves of plants located in South America and East Asia. Caffeine acts as a stimulant by inhibiting the downregulation of the central nervous system (CNS) since its molecular size and shape competes with that of adenosine. Upon ingestion, caffeine binds to adenosine receptors in the CNS and triggers the activity of medullary, vagal, vasomotor, and respiratory centers in the brain.
March 2023
Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. "PubChem Compound Summary for CID 2519, Caffeine" PubChem, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Caffeine.
