Secondary metabolite

Definition

Secondary metabolites are organic compounds produced by plants, fungi, or bacteria that are not directly involved in the normal growth, development, or reproduction of the organism. Unlike primary metabolites, which are essential for life, secondary metabolites often play a role in plant defense mechanisms and interactions with other organisms.

Related terms

Alkenes: Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond, serving as fundamental building blocks in organic chemistry.

Phytochemistry: The study of chemicals derived from plants, focusing on their production and biological roles within the plants themselves.

Allelopathy: A biological phenomenon where an organism produces one or more biochemicals that influence the growth, survival, and reproduction of other organisms