Secondary metabolism
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Secondary metabolism (also called special metabolism) is a term for pathways and products of metabolism that are not absolutely required for the survival of the organism. Examples of the products include antibiotics and pigments. To distinguish non-secondary ("ordinary") metabolism, the term basic metabolism is sometimes used. Secondary metabolites are produced by microbes, plants and animals, but not by all of them.
Induction of secondary metabolism
The induction of secondary metabolism is linked to particular environmental conditions or developmental stages. For example, when grown in a nutrient-rich medium, most bacteria employ almost solely basic metabolism in order to grow and reproduce. However, when nutrients are depleted, they start producing an array of secondary metabolites in order to promote survival.
Plants produce secondary metabolites as a response to adverse environmental conditions or in particular developmental stages. For example, exposure to UV radiation induces the biosynthesis of UV-absorbing compounds.
Important secondary metabolites
- Antibiotics, such as streptomycin and penicilin
- Pigments, such as delphinidin
See also
External links
References
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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
