Besides the coral animal itself, where might an active therapeutic compound originate?
Answer
A symbiotic bacterium or algae living within the tissues
Sophisticated biochemical analysis is sometimes required to determine the true source of a bioactive molecule found in coral extracts. While corals are animals, the complex molecular environment they host means that the active compound might not actually be produced by the coral polyps. Instead, the beneficial secondary metabolite could be generated by a symbiotic microorganism, such as a bacterium or algae, living within the coral's tissues. This realization underscores the necessity of preserving the entire reef community, as replicating the necessary microbial community is crucial for sustainable pharmaceutical sourcing.
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