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Caffeine is metabolized by the liver and it is transformed in three different compounds:
- paraxanthine, 84% yield, a metabolite which stimulates lipolysis and increases the concentration of glycerol and fatty acids in the blood;
- theobromine, 12% yield, a vasodilator. Its action increases the flow of oxygen to the brain and muscles;
- theophylline, 4% yield, which increases the heart rate and alters the strength of muscle contraction
Launch Avogadro and open three pages. Import the caffeine molecule and its metabolites (sequence File→ import→ fetch by chemical name). Compare the molecules and their structures. By comparing their molecular mass (sequence View → Properties), what do you notice?