I know some plants create secondary compounds like nicotine to make them selves unpalatable, is this the same reason why some plants make caffeine?
In otherwords, what benifit does caffine have for the plant?
2006-10-24 16:27:59 · 4 answers · asked by Beef 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
Caffeine is deadly to many insects. If an insect ingests too much caffeine it screws up their nervous system. I suppose its the same for people too.
2006-10-24 17:27:28 · answer #1 · answered by Steven B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Caffeine is deadly to most insects. Its like DDT to some plants.
2006-10-25 05:53:39 · answer #2 · answered by damiand4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
right - it is toxic if an animal just chows it in large quantity. think of it. you or me just take a spoonful of roast coffee and brew ourselves a cuppa of espresso. but if we had to actually feed on the coffee beans the way worms or birds or animals feed on beans - the equivalent of one whole dish of peas/lentils/beans for us - we too would get remarkably sick, or even dead.
btw some animals eat the flesh of the coffee beans and some crazy humans even buy at highest prices the coffee beans FROM THEIR DROPPINGS - google the cibet coffee...
2006-10-24 21:55:04 · answer #3 · answered by iva 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because everyone loves caffeine. lol
2006-10-25 05:39:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋