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CSIR NET EXAM » CSIR UGC-NET Exam Study Materials » Life Sciences » Secondary Metabolites
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Secondary Metabolites

Everything you need to know about the Secondary metabolites and other related topics in detail.

Table of Content
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Metabolites are the important first step of products that facilitate the production of end products in metabolism. They are synthesised to production by specific enzymes found in abundance naturally inside the cells. Secondary metabolites are the organic molecules that any organism produces, which is not related or important for their growth, development, or reproduction. Antibiotics and pigments are two examples of secondary metabolites. Small molecules are commonly referred to as metabolites. Metabolite capabilities and primary functions include energy production, framework construction, sending signals & indications, catalytic performance, defensive performance, and interconnections with other life forms. Plants, humans, and microorganisms produce metabolites. 

Significance Of Metabolites.

  • Metabolites are intermediate metabolic end products.
  • Primary metabolites are required for microorganisms to grow appropriately.
  • Secondary metabolites influence the end of the growth cycle and are not engaged in the development, reproductive capacity, or growth.
  • In industries, the metabolites could be used to create immunizations antibiotics, isolate chemical products for organic synthesis and obtain essential nutrients, proteins, and amino acids.

Metabolites In Humans

Humans have approximately 2500 metabolites. Arachidonic acid is a metabolite of prostaglandin. Both molecules end up sharing material characteristics and chemical bonding, and a sequence of enzyme-catalysed interactions connects them.

Steroid hormones are produced by cholesterol, while the amino acid tyrosine produces catecholamines. The Human Metabolome Database is an electronic database containing all of the data about the metabolites found in the human body, i.e., approximately 180 human metabolites. 

Metabolites Produced By Microbes

To produce metabolites, distinct microbes employ various strategies. These help differentiate between the distinct microbial community. One of the most common primary metabolites used in the fermentation-anaerobic respiratory method is preparing beverages alcohol. Citric acid is produced by Aspergillus niger and is extensively used throughout the nutrition, pharma, and cosmetic domains.

Metabolites From Plants.

Plant metabolites are classified into two types: Primary Metabolites, Secondary Metabolites.

Primary Metabolites.

Primary Metabolites are the chemical substances generated during the mechanisms of growth and progress. Furthermore, they participate in the basic cellular metabolism process and respiration and photosynthetic activities. During the growth period, primary metabolites are formed. They are the main central metabolites because they maintain the body’s biological mechanisms running. They are intermediate components of anabolic metabolic activities that cells use to synthesise vital large molecules.

Primary Metabolites in a nutshell are:

  • Necessary for cellular growth and function maintenance.
  • Primary Metabolites occur during the growth phase.
  • Primary Metabolites are generated in large quantities and easily extracted.
  • The amounts of Primary Metabolites present apply to all species.
  • Primary Metabolites carry out physiological functions within the body.
  • Carbohydrates, vitamins, ethanol, and lactic acid are primary metabolites examples

Primary Metabolites examples,

Some of the primary metabolites produced by industrial applications include amino acids, vitamin supplements, and organic acids. Alcohol is perhaps the most common primary metabolite manufactured on a massive scale in the manufacturing industry.

Secondary Metabolites.

Secondary metabolites substances are synthesised by microbes that are not considered necessary for primary metabolic activities. They can, however, be important to the context of its external environment. Secondary metabolites are presumed to be the final products of primary metabolites as they are inferred through the same mechanism pathways that primary metabolites use.

Secondary Metabolites in a nutshell are:

  • Ecological functions are performed through secondary metabolites. 
  • This happens during the stationary phase. 
  • Secondary Metabolites are produced in small quantities that are difficult to extract. 
  • Every species has unique occurrences of Secondary Metabolites.
  • Secondary Metabolites are derivatives of Primary metabolites. 
  • Phenolics, steroids, antibiotics, and colourants are secondary metabolites examples

Secondary Metabolites examples,

Antibiotics, toxic materials, pheromones, enzyme inhibitors, antifungals, antivirals, antitumors, anti-hypertensives, and other substances are examples of secondary metabolites. Streptomycetes and connected actinomycetes are also sources of secondary metabolites.

Conclusion 

We discussed primary metabolites & secondary metabolites and other related topics through the study material notes on secondary metabolites. We also discussed secondary metabolites examples & primary metabolites examples to give you proper knowledge. 

Understanding metabolism is critical to understanding the observable traits behaviour of all living organisms. Metabolic activity is important for health and efficient operation. Metabolites are the intermediate components of metabolic interactions that typically occur inside the cells and are prompted by enzyme systems. This term is frequently used to define small organic molecules, but it has wider applicability.

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