Final answer:
Caffeine follows an exponential decay in the body, stimulating the brain and affecting physical performance like finger tapping rate. However, excessive consumption can lead to adverse health effects, including dependence and cardiovascular issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of caffeine in the body after coffee consumption follows an exponential decay model. Once caffeine is ingested, it acts on the central nervous system, increasing alertness and delaying fatigue. Studies, such as the finger tapping experiment involving college men, aim to understand the effects of different doses of caffeine on physical performance. In this experiment, after two hours of ingesting caffeine, the rate of finger tapping per minute was recorded to determine if caffeine affects the rate of tapping.
Caffeine consumption has various impacts on the body. Some studies show benefits like increased endurance capacity, especially in non-caffeine drinkers. However, high blood levels of caffeine can lead to adverse side effects, such as insomnia, anxiety, and cardiovascular issues. Individual sensitivity to caffeine varies, with some developing side effects at lower doses. Notably, individuals can develop a tolerance or dependence on caffeine with routine consumption.
In summation, caffeine stimulates the brain, increases metabolism levels, and affects physical performance, but it also has the potential for adverse health effects, notably when consumed in large quantities.