What are primary and secondary metabolites? State their importance and components with examples.

(N/A) $\rightarrow$ The most exciting aspect of chemistry deals with isolating thousands of compounds, small and big, from living organisms, determining their structure, and if possible, synthesizing them.
$\rightarrow$ In the list of biomolecules, thousands of organic compounds including amino acids and sugars are found; these biomolecules are called 'metabolites'.
$\rightarrow$ In animal tissues, organic compounds with low molecular weight are found; they are called primary metabolites.
$\rightarrow$ If one analyzes plant, fungal, and microbial cells, thousands of other components are found, e.g., alkaloids, flavonoids, rubber, essential oils, antibiotics, colored pigments, scents, gums, spices, etc. These are called secondary metabolites.
$\rightarrow$ Comparison of Primary and Secondary Metabolites:
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Primary Metabolites	Secondary Metabolite Category	Examples
Sugar	Pigments	Carotenoids, Anthocyanins
Amino acids	Alkaloids	Morphine, Codeine
Fats	Terpenoids	Monoterpenes, Diterpenes
Nitrogen bases	Essential oils	Lemon grass oil
Nucleosides	Toxins	Abrin, Ricin
Nucleotides	Lectins	Concanavalin $A$
-	Drugs	Vinblastine, Curcumin
-	Polymeric Substances	Rubber, Gums, Cellulose

$\rightarrow$ We do not, at the moment, understand the role or functions of all the 'secondary metabolites' in the host organisms.
$\rightarrow$ Primary metabolites have identifiable functions and play known roles in normal physiological processes.
$\rightarrow$ Many of the secondary metabolites are useful to 'human welfare' (e.g., rubber, drugs, spices, scents, and pigments).
$\rightarrow$ Some secondary metabolites have ecological importance.