Which of the following are not secondary metabolites in plants?
Answer: (D) Amino acids, glucose. Answer: (D) Amino acids, glucose.
- A.Vinblastin, curcumin
- B.Rubber, gums
- C.Morphine, codeine
- D.Amino acids, glucose✓
Correct Answer
(D) Amino acids, glucose
Solution & Explanation
Answer: (D) Amino acids, glucose. Solution: Primary metabolites such as amino acids and sugars (glucose) have identifiable functions in normal physiological processes, whereas secondary metabolites include alkaloids (morphine, codeine), rubber, gums, drugs (vinblastin, curcumin) and pigments. NCERT's list of biomolecules/primary metabolites explicitly includes amino acids and sugars, and Table 9.3 lists rubber, gums and the alkaloids/drugs as secondary metabolites. Hence amino acids and glucose are NOT secondary metabolites. NCERT Reference: Ch 9, p.108, line ~7 — "such a list would have thousands of organic compounds including amino acids, sugars, etc... These are primary metabolites."