Here is the description about the metabolites, their types , functions and differences between them

1. COMPARISON BETWEEN
PRIMARY & SECONDARY
METABOLITES

2. METABOLISM & METABOLITES
 METABOLISM: Metabolism constituents all the chemical
transformations occurring in the cells of living organisms
and these transformations are essential for life of an
organism.
 METABOLITES: End product of metabolic processes and
intermediates formed during metabolic processes.
 The metabolites can be used in industries to develop
vaccines, antibiotics, isolate chemicals for organic
synthesis and to obtain amino acid.

3. TYPES OF METABOLITES
METABOLITES
PRIMARY
SECONDARY

4. PRIMARY METABOLITES
 Directly involved in normal growth, development, and
reproduction.
 Performs a physiological function in the organism (i.e. an
intrinsic function).
 Present in many organisms or cells.
 Examples- amino acids, vitamins, organic acids.

5. SECONDARY METABOLITES
 Produced to confer a selective advantage to the organism.
 Secondary metabolites serve:
(i) as competitive weapons used against other organisms;
(ii) as metal transporting agents;
(iii) as agents of symbiosis between microbes and plants,
nematodes, insects, and higher animals.
 Examples include antibiotics, pigments and scents.

6. FEATURES PRIMARY METABOLITES SECONDARY METABOLITES
DEFINITION Metabolites required for the maintenance and
growth of cellular functions. It is initiated
when the nutrients required are present in
the medium for an organism to grow.
They are the organic compounds not
directly involved in the normal
growth, development or the process
of reproduction of the organism.
Phase at which it occurs Growth phase Stationary phase
Other terms used to refer Trophophase Idiophase
Quantity of production Large quantities Small quantities
Extraction process Easy Difficult
Occurrence They produce the same products in every
species.
They produce different products in
every species.
Applications • Widely used in industries for different
purposes
• Play a role in cell growth, development and
reproduction
• Supports the cell indirectly,
thereby helps in sustaining life for
longer
• Economical importance
Some examples Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins Steroids, essential oils, phenolics,
alkaloids