dictionary help| secondary metabolite | medical dictionary |
<biochemistry> Chemicals that are usually unique to one organism or class of organisms, and are not essential to cell survival.
They perform specialised functions, for example, degrading food sources or fighting off other organisms. Many of the chemicals that plants or microorganisms produce that are of biochemical interest are secondary metabolites, including antibiotics.
(14 Nov 1997)
secondary megaureter, secondary mesoderm, secondary metabolism < Prev | Next > secondary methaemoglobinaemia, secondary myeloid metaplasia
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