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Secondary Compounds in Plants: Primary Functions

David Seigler

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Peter W. Price

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Abstract

Many natural products supposed by ecologists to exist as secondary metabolic products for protection of plants exist in dynamic equilibrium, with rapid turnover rates, involving cycles that include primary products such as sugars and amino acids. Therefore, natural selection of secondary chemicals may be for their role in primary metabolic processes as well as in defense.

The American Naturalist, volume 110 issue 971 cover

The American Naturalist

Volume 110, Number 971Jan. - Feb., 1976

Published for The American Society of Naturalists

Article DOI

https://doi.org/10.1086/283050

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