Question
Download Solution PDFPolysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids and esters are known as _____.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is Primary Metabolites.
Key Points
- Metabolite is an intermediate or end product of metabolism
- They are the intermediate products produced during metabolism, catalyzed by various enzymes that occur naturally within cells
- The term metabolites are usually used for small molecules
- Functions of metabolites include; fuel, structure, signaling, catalytic activity, defense and interactions with other organisms.
- Metabolites are of two types:
- Primary Metabolites
- Chemical compounds produced during the growth and development processes
- Required for growth and maintenance of cellular function
- Same in every species because they are a part of basic cellular function occurring in all organisms
- Involved in the primary metabolic processes of respiration and photosynthesis
- They maintain the physiological functions of the body and are known as central metabolites
- Produced at the growth phase
- They are the intermediate products of anabolic metabolism, which are used by the cells for the formation of essential macromolecules
- Produced in large amounts and easy to extract
- e.g., Amino acids, vitamins, organic acids, carbohydrates
- Secondary Metabolites
- These compounds are produced by the organisms that are not required for primary metabolic processes
- Secondary metabolites are considered to be the end products of primary metabolites
- Involved in ecological functions
- Produced at the stationary phase
- Produced in small amounts and difficult to extract
- Different in every species
- e.g., Phenolics, steroids, antibiotics, pigments
| Compounds | Metabolite |
| Ribulose | Used in Calvin Cycle, binds with CO2 to form 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde - primary metabolite |
| Glycerol | Glycerol is a precursor for the synthesis of triacylglycerols and of phospholipids in liver and adipose tissue, fat, glucose, pyruvate metabolism produces glycerol - primary metabolite |
| Mevalonic acid | Precursor in the mevalonate pathway that produces terpenes, isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and steroids - primary metabolite |
| Cholesterol | It is a steroid, which are considered secondary metabolites because they vary a lot among organisms |
Last updated on May 28, 2025
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