Difference Between Primary and Secondary Metabolites
The difference between primary and secondary metabolites are given below:
Feature | Primary Metabolites | Secondary Metabolites |
---|---|---|
Function | Essential for basic cellular functions | Not directly involved in growth or development |
Importance | Vital for survival and growth | Non-essential, often specialized functions |
Formation | Formed during growth phase | Synthesized in response to environmental factors |
Role | Building blocks for macromolecules, energy sources | Defense, signaling, attraction |
Occurrence | Ubiquitous across all living organisms | Specific to certain lineages or species |
Examples | Amino acids, nucleotides, sugars | Alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids |
What are Metabolites – Primary and Secondary Metabolites
Metabolites are the intermediate molecules produced during various metabolic processes. Metabolites produced by plants are of two types – primary and secondary metabolites. The metabolites examples are antibiotics, glucose, amino acids, etc. Metabolite functions include signalling molecules, defence, and catalytic activity. In this article, we will cover metabolites, their types -primary and secondary metabolites, along with their functions and examples.
Table of Content
- Metabolites Meaning
- Metabolites in Plants
- Difference Between Primary and Secondary Metabolites
- Human Metabolites
- Microbial Metabolites
- Conclusion – What are Metabolites? – Primary and Secondary
- FAQs on What are Metabolites? – Primary and Secondary