metabolitesmadison jennings

Plants are alive too...

semi conscious

able to release secondary metabolites

use of primary metabolites

Primary Metabolites

variety of uses

communication, cell repair

Communication

Primary metabolites are triggered by a plant cell change

can signal for a need else where in the plant

Cell Repair

Signal a damaged cell

allow other cells to send new building materials

signal the destruction

Secondary Metabolite Classes

several types

chemical defense, attractant, self medicating, poison

terpenoids, alkaloids, phytoalexins, phenolic

phytoalexins

self medicating

induced by infection or wounding

immune response in plants

often what is used in “herbal medication”

Alkaloids

protect the plants

“pharmacologically active”

morphine, caffeine, nicotine

Terpenoidoils or fragrances (orange, peppermint)

many are highly poisonous (Cardiac glycosid)

antiherbivory, or attractants

phenolicbitter tasting flavenoids

Can be lignin

pits of fruit

water retention

most common tannins

antiherbivory , toxic

caffine, tea, cinnamon

Supermarket Produce

crops are disarmed of metabolites

susceptible to animals and humans

these qualities are “bred out”

Every Day Uses

derive medication

spices

pesticides

medication

toxicity can be altered if diluted

different parts of the plant provide different remedies

doctrine of signatures helped to denote uses

spices

bitter flavenoids

rich flavors

beneficial in tea

pesticides

secondary metabolites

provide protection to the unarmed plants

show the toxicity of the metabolites

Reduction of Competitors

limited resources

must use apical growth

or secrete poison

wipe out competition

Necessity

to get rid of waste

to destroy built up starches

to adapt to lack of resources

Summary

For survival -- pollinators, seed dispersal, self medicating

allelopathy-- secrete poisons via the roots

accidental -- due to no excretory system