Question

caffeine is only produced by plants, yet it has profound effects on the nervous system of animals. What is the reason plants, which dont have a nervous system, has been able to evolve to be able to produce neurologically active compounds such as caffeine?

Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

As we know that living organisms can't live in isolation. Living organisms must interact with the biotic and abiotic factors of the environment. Plants produce product only for a specific purpose. In case of compounds like caffeine plants produce these compounds as a part of defence system. By producing these compounds plants eliminate the compititors from their surroundings. Like when coffee leaves fall on ground they contaminate the soil so other plants can not germinate in this soil . More ever when the leaves present on plant these are used to eliminate the insects which harm the plants . In plants everything is useful but we misuse these things like caffeine can inhibit the NO a neurotransmitter in our body and can decrease our power of thinking.