This document discusses the shikimic acid pathway, which is a seven-step metabolic pathway found in plants, microorganisms, and some parasites that is responsible for the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids. The key points are:
1. The shikimic acid pathway converts carbohydrates from glycolysis and erythrose-4-phosphate from the pentose phosphate pathway into the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan.
2. Shikimic acid is a key intermediate in this pathway. It is also a precursor in the biosynthesis of many important plant secondary metabolites like gallic acid, flavonoids, lignins, and certain alkaloids.