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secondary-metabolism

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Secondary metabolism refers to the biosynthetic pathways plants use to produce specialized small molecules—such as alkaloids, terpenes, and phenolics—that are not essential for basic growth but play critical roles in ecological interactions. These compounds help plants defend against herbivores and pathogens, attract pollinators, and compete with neighboring organisms. Understanding secondary metabolism is central to plant biology research, with implications for crop protection, drug discovery, and the breeding of stress-resistant varieties.

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