Nicotine Chemistry

Step 1

3DChem.com explains that nicotine is an organic compound. This alkaloid has a molecular weight of 162.26 g/mol. It is synthesized in the roots of the tobacco plant and found concentrated in the leaves. Nicotine constitutes 0.3 to 5.0 percent of the dry weight of the plant. Chemically, it contains a pyridine ring bound to a five-membered heterocycle containing four carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom.

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Effects of Nicotine

Step 1

Although most of the nicotine is destroyed as the cigarette burns, a significant amount makes it through to the body intact. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that nicotine is one of the most commonly used addictive drugs in the U.S.. It causes “increased blood pressure, and heart rate/chronic lung disease; cardiovascular disease; stroke; cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney, bladder, and acute myeloid leukemia; adverse pregnancy outcomes and addiction.”

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Niacin Chemistry

Step 1

Niacin, or nicotinic acid, is also called vitamin B-3. Chemically, it contains a pyridine ring bound to a carboxyl group and has a molecular weight of 123.1094 g/mol. This molecule acts as a cofactor in enzymatic reactions involved in the synthesis of RNA, DNA and ATP, otherwise known as adenosine triphosphate. A cofactor allows an enzyme to catalyze a reaction more efficiently.

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Dietary Sources

Step 1

The daily requirement of niacin for men and women over 19 years is 16 and 14 mg of niacin, respectively. Getting the required niacin from dietary sources is fairly easy. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that the average dietary intake of niacin in the U.S. is between 20 and 30 mg/day for young adults. A 3-oz. serving of chicken cooked without skin provides 7.3 mg. Three ounces of tuna provide 11.3 mg. Even a 1 cup serving of coffee provides 0.5 mg.

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  references
  
      National Institute on Drug Abuse: Commonly Abused Drugs
    
      ChemistryExplained.com; Nicotinamide; David Speckhard
    
      Linus Pauling Institute; Niacin; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; August 2002
    
      Linus Pauling Institute; Niacin; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; August 2002
     Is this an emergency?
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the
National Library of Medicine’s list
of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.





  references
  
      National Institute on Drug Abuse: Commonly Abused Drugs
    
      ChemistryExplained.com; Nicotinamide; David Speckhard
    
      Linus Pauling Institute; Niacin; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; August 2002
    
      Linus Pauling Institute; Niacin; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; August 2002

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

      National Institute on Drug Abuse: Commonly Abused Drugs
    
      ChemistryExplained.com; Nicotinamide; David Speckhard
    
      Linus Pauling Institute; Niacin; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; August 2002
    
      Linus Pauling Institute; Niacin; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; August 2002