Caffeine molecule space group8/17/2023 The long molecule instructs each cell on what it should do. Guanine is one of four key substances cells use to make DNA (short for deoxyribonucleic acid). These microbes can break down caffeine and then use a byproduct to make guanine, a nutrient they need to grow and thrive. But several teams of scientists have discovered that some soil bacteria can perform a neat trick. Caffeine is also toxic to some types of plants, bacteria - even frogs. It will kill or harm insects that attempt to dine on the plant. In coffee plants and tea bushes, caffeine acts as a natural pesticide. The leaves, seeds and fruits of many plants contain caffeine. It also could help researchers measure the amount of caffeine in liquids. Its designers say their new microbe could be used to clean up waters tainted by caffeine. And when they were through, this bacterium had to consume caffeine - or die. Researchers recently transformed a germ into a true caffeine fiend. But a passion for this stimulant doesn’t compare to actually needing caffeine to survive and reproduce. Maybe you’ve heard coffee or cola drinkers say they’re “addicted” to caffeine. Barrick Lab/University of Texas at Austin In caffeine-free Coke (top left), no cloudiness appears. When the microbes are added to a water-weakened version of one of those drinks, the bacteria grow and the liquid turns cloudy - but only if the drink contained caffeine. Now, they can use this microbe to measure concentrations of caffeine in beverages such as soda, coffee and energy drinks. Scientists tweaked the genes of a bacterium so that it requires caffeine to live and reproduce.
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