What is primary and secondary metabolism?

Primary metabolism refers to the essential biochemical processes necessary for the growth, development, and reproduction of an organism, including pathways that produce fundamental compounds like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Secondary metabolism, on the other hand, involves the production of compounds that are not directly essential for these basic life processes but can provide advantages such as defense mechanisms, pigmentation, or attraction of pollinators; examples include alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids. While primary metabolites are common across many organisms, secondary metabolites are often species-specific and play critical roles in ecological interactions.