The Campus Coffee Shop
Caffeine Conundrums
Author(s)
http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/collection/detail.html?case_id=319&id=319Department of Biology
North Carolina Central University
wheck@nccu.edu
Center for Instructional Technology
Duke University
andrea.novicki@duke.edu
Graduate School
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
brybar@unc.edu
Abstract
Since caffeine is a widely used substance, especially by college age students, this case on the effects of caffeine on the human body serves as a real-world connection to many students’ lives. The case is divided into sections covering background information on caffeine, cell biology and signal transduction, Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular effects, and addiction/withdrawal. The case was designed so that a section can be used alone or in combination with other sections, as dictated by topic/curriculum needs. It would be appropriate for use in a variety of science and health related courses, including anatomy and physiology, disease related courses, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience.
Objectives
- Identify sources of caffeine in foods and drinks.
- Describe the chemical structure of caffeine and general physiological effects of caffeine consumption.
- Explain which molecules in the nervous system interact with caffeine.
- Determine the relationship between caffeine consumption and the incidence of Parkinson’s disease.
- Hypothesize biological explanations for the correlation between caffeine and Parkinson’s.
- Explain the molecular basis of changes in blood pressure in response to caffeine.
- Determine potential outcomes of interactions between caffeine and catecholamine signaling pathways.
- Identify symptoms of caffeine withdrawal.
- Differentiate between drug dependence and drug addiction, and categorize caffeine into one of these states.
- Explain how adenosine and dopamine contribute to caffeine dependence or addiction.
Keywords
Caffeine; receptor function; adenosine receptor; signal transduction; cell signaling; Parkinson's disease; neurotransmitters; vasoconstriction; catecholamine; blood pressure; substance use; caffeine addiction; caffeine withdrawal; experimental designEducational Level
Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper divisionFormat
PDFType Methods
Interrupted, Jig-SawLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Cell Biology Molecular Biology Biochemistry Physiology Neuroscience Genetics / Heredity
Date Posted
09/28/05Teaching Notes
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Answer Key
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