theobromine

n. a methylxanthine alkaloid that occurs naturally in the seeds of Theobroma cacao, the cocoa plant. Theobromine is structurally similar to caffeine in coffee and theophylline in tea but has less pharmacological potency than either of these methylxanthines.

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Psychology term of the day

November 16th 2024

cardiopulmonary bypass machine

a mechanical device that carries out the functions of the heart and lungs for short periods during surgery involving these organs. The machine collects blood from the veins before it reaches the heart and circulates it through a plastic chamber in which it is freshly oxygenated before being pumped back into the patient’s arteries.