Template:Short description A primary metabolite is a kind of metabolite that is directly involved in normal growth, development, and reproduction. It usually performs a physiological function in the organism (i.e. an intrinsic function). A primary metabolite is typically present in many organisms or cells. It is also referred to as a central metabolite, which has an even more restricted meaning (present in any autonomously growing cell or organism). Some common examples of primary metabolites include: lactic acid, and certain amino acids. Note that primary metabolites do not show any pharmacological actions or effects.
Plant growth regulators may be classified as both primary and secondary metabolites due to their role in plant growth and development.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Some of them are intermediates between primary and secondary metabolism.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
See alsoEdit
- Antimetabolite
- Metabolic control analysis, a specific kind of control analysis
- Metabolism
- Metabolomics — the study of global metabolites profile in a system (cell, tissue, or organism) under a given set of conditions
- Metabolome