What is the primary evolutionary purpose of secondary metabolites secreted by corals?
Answer
Chemical weaponry or communication tools
Secondary metabolites are complex organic molecules produced by corals that are specifically not involved in the organism's primary functions like growth or reproduction. Instead, these compounds function as sophisticated chemical defenses utilized for survival, acting as chemical weaponry against predators or competitors, or serving as signaling agents for communication within the reef environment. This evolutionary pressure to develop potent chemical defenses in competitive, pathogen-rich settings is precisely what translates into high biomedical potential for human therapeutics.
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