Question

Which of the following options is a secondary metabolite?

Answer 1

The carbon content of a cell is also known as the metabolite content of the cell. Metabolites are the molecules that take part in the metabolic reactions. Metabolism is the sum total of all the chemical reactions that take place inside our body. It includes both anabolic (build up or synthesis reactions that require input of energy or are endothermic) and catabolic (breakdown reactions that are exothermic or release energy).

Metabolites can be further subdivided into primary metabolites and secondary metabolites. Primary metabolites are directly involved in growth and development of an organism. They include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids. Secondary metabolites are polymeric substances produced for defence purposes and stress responses. They include pigments (carotenoids, anthocyanins), alkaloids (morphine, codeine), terpenoids (monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, sesquiterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes), essential oils (lemongrass oil), toxins (ricin from castor plant, abrin), lectins (concanavalin A), drugs (vinblastine from Catharanthus roseus, curcumin from turmeric), polymeric substances like rubber latex, gums.