Question

Is rubber a primary metabolite or a secondary metabolite ? Write four sentences about rebber.

Answer 1

Rubber (cis 1,4-polyisopyrene) is a secondary metabolite. Secondary metabolites are chemicals produced by plants for which no role has been found yet in growth, photosynthess, reproduction or other primary functions.

(i) Rubber is extracted from havea brasiliensis (rubber tree)

(ii) It is a byproduct of the lactiferous tissue of the vessels that are in the form of latex.

(iii) It is the largest of the terpenoids because it contains over 400 isoprene units.

(iv) It is elastic, water proof and a good electrical conductor.