adenosine
Cellular energy molecule
Adenosine is a compound that plays essential roles in biochemistry and medicine.
In the body, it regulates blood flow, heart rhythm, and sleep—adenosine buildup during waking hours contributes to drowsiness.
Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain.
Adenosine is also a building block of ATP, the molecule that stores cellular energy, and of RNA.
Base-sugar molecular unit
- purineTwo-fused-ring nitrogenous base
- ribosePentose in nucleotides
- thymidineThymine-containing DNA nucleoside
- pyrimidineHeterocyclic aromatic nitrogen compound
Signal-receiving molecule
- agonistReceptor-binding trigger molecule
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- caffeineMethylxanthine stimulant compound
- theophyllineBronchodilator for respiratory conditions
Corrects abnormal heart rhythms
- heart blockDisrupted cardiac electrical conduction
- bradycardiaAbnormally slow heart rate
- reentryComing back in
- defibrillationElectric cardiac rhythm reset
Cell's energy molecule
- ADPPayroll processing firm
- AMPNucleotide or web standard
- phosphatePO₄ ion compound
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
cellular respiration · phosphorylation · bioenergetics · glycolysis
State of near-sleep
- sleep pressureBiological demand for rest
- somnolenceAbnormal urge to doze
- sleep-wake cycleDaily pattern of rest
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
sleep debt · arousal · wakefulness · circadian rhythm · tiredness
Movement through vessels
- hypotensionAbnormally reduced arterial pressure
- ischemiaInsufficient tissue blood supply
- reperfusionRestored blood supply
- cardiac stress testExertion-based heart assessment
Nitrogenous purine metabolite
- salvage pathwayCellular recycling of molecules
- deaminationAmino group removal process
nucleoside
Base-sugar molecular unit
receptor
Signal-receiving molecule
- agonistReceptor-binding trigger molecule
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- caffeineMethylxanthine stimulant compound
antiarrhythmic
Corrects abnormal heart rhythms
- heart blockDisrupted cardiac electrical conduction
- bradycardiaAbnormally slow heart rate
- reentryComing back in
defibrillation · atrioventricular · sinus rhythm · cardiac conduction
ATP
Cell's energy molecule
mitochondria · cellular respiration · phosphorylation · bioenergetics · glycolysis
drowsiness
State of near-sleep
- sleep pressureBiological demand for rest
- somnolenceAbnormal urge to doze
- sleep-wake cycleDaily pattern of rest
fatigue · sleep debt · arousal · wakefulness · circadian rhythm · tiredness
blood flow
Movement through vessels
- hypotensionAbnormally reduced arterial pressure
- ischemiaInsufficient tissue blood supply
- reperfusionRestored blood supply
uric acid
Nitrogenous purine metabolite
- salvage pathwayCellular recycling of molecules
- deaminationAmino group removal process
- Biochemicalsamino acid, amino acids, protein, proteins, DNA
- BiomoleculesDNA, protein, RNA, enzyme, mRNA
- geneticsDNA, allele, genotype, genes, gene
- neuroscienceneuron, MRI, brain, neurons, synapses
- emergency medsepinephrine, adrenaline, naloxone, Narcan, EpiPen
- Neuroactive Drugsdopamine, serotonin, GABA, acetylcholine, norepinephrine
adenosinecaffeine
Methylxanthine stimulant compound
theophylline · theobromine · amphetamine · epinephrine · norepinephrine