Secondary metabolism 1064129 217406540 2008-06-05T22:02:33Z SmackBot 433328 Date the maintenance tags or general fixes [[Image:Streptomycin structure.png|thumb|120px|right|[[Streptomycin]], an important [[antibiotic]] drug produced by [[Streptomyces]] bacteria]] '''Secondary metabolism''' (also called '''special metabolism''') is a term for pathways and [[small molecule]] products of [[metabolism]] that are not absolutely required for the survival of the [[organism]]. Examples of the products include [[antibiotics]] and [[pigment]]s. To distinguish non-secondary ("ordinary") metabolism, the term ''basic metabolism'' is sometimes used. Secondary [[metabolite]]s are produced by [[microbe]]s, 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 == {{main|Secondary metabolite}} *[[Antibiotic]]s, such as [[streptomycin]] and [[penicilin]] *[[Pigment]]s, such as [[delphinidin]] <!--- == See also == *[[Metabolism]] is already in the text---> == External links == *[http://www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-online/e20/20.htm Secondary metabolism in plants] == References == {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} [[Category:Metabolism]] {{biochemistry-stub}} [[fi:Sekundaarimetabolia]]