Chapter 33, Problem 12STP

Summary Introduction

To explain:

The phenomenon of increased dosage of coffee.

Introduction:

A disease is a state of the unhealthiness of the physical body, mind and social interaction. A disease may be caused due to psychological reasons, pathological reasons or physiological reasons. The physiological reasons are any abnormality in the physiology of the individual, while pathological reasons include infection by pathogens.

Explanation of Solution

The phenomenon when a person has to increase his consumption of coffee is called tolerance. Tolerance is a phenomenon that occurs when a person needs more and more of the same substance to produce the same effect. As the dosage increases, the body becomes unresponsive to the substance and demands it more.

Coffee contains caffeine. It works by binding to the adenosine receptors of the neurons present in the brain. In the presence of adenosine, the neural activity is slowed down, which causes drowsiness. But in the presence of caffeine, its binding to the adenosine receptor has an opposite effect. Caffeine diminishes the drowsiness and increases the alertness with a temporary boost of epinephrine that fades out quickly. Therefore, the person needs another cup for more alertness.

Conclusion

Caffeine tolerance is a phenomenon by which a person requires an increased dose of caffeine for producing the same effect.