Metabolite

Metabolites are the intermediates and products of metabolism. The term metabolite is usually restricted to small molecules. A primary metabolite is essential for normal growth, development, and reproduction. A secondary metabolite is not essential for normal growth, development and reproduction, but usually has important ecological function. Examples include antibiotics and pigments.

Related Topics:
Metabolism - Small molecule - Secondary metabolite - Ecological - Antibiotics - Pigment

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The metabolome forms a large network of metabolic reactions, where outputs from one enzymatic chemical reaction are inputs to other chemical reactions.

Related Topics:
Metabolome - Network - Metabolic - Enzymatic - Chemical reaction

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Such systems have been described as hypercycles.

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