Q.135 Botany ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active

Vault ↗

NEET 2021 Botany Question 135 Solution

Topic: Biomolecules · Official NTA Booklet Code M1

Question

Which of the following are not secondary metabolites in plants?

(1)Morphine, codeine
(2)Amino acids, glucose
(3)Vinblastin, curcumin
(4)Rubber, gums Section - B (Biology: Botany)

✓

Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key

Option (2) : Amino acids, glucose

📚 Biomolecules Easy

📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup

Category Primary vs Secondary Metabolites in plants

Target Identify the compounds that are NOT secondary metabolites

⚡

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Amino Acids & Glucose = Universal Primary Metabolites!

⏱️ Save ~15 seconds

Primary metabolites (amino acids, sugars/glucose, fatty acids, nucleotides) have identifiable, universal physiological roles in basic metabolism! Morphine, codeine (alkaloids), vinblastin, curcumin (drugs), and rubber, gums (polymeric substances) are classic secondary metabolites. Match Option (2)!

1 Morphine, codeine: Alkaloids

\implies

Secondary metabolites.

2 Amino acids, glucose: Fundamental building blocks for proteins and cellular respiration

\implies

PRIMARY metabolites.

3 Vinblastin, curcumin: Drugs

\implies

Secondary metabolites.

4 Rubber, gums: Polymeric substances

\implies

Secondary metabolites.

5 Therefore, Amino acids and glucose are NOT secondary metabolites.

6 Match Option (2).

🛡️

Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: Canonical NCERT Biomolecules taxonomy on Primary and Secondary Metabolites.

📐

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

Definition of Primary vs Secondary Metabolites

Biomolecules in plant and fungal cells are categorized based on their roles in organismal survival:

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{Primary Metabolites:}} & \quad \text{Directly involved in basic physiological growth, development, respiration} \\[3pt] & \quad (\text{e.g., Amino acids, Glucose, Lipids, Nucleic acids}) \\[4pt] \text{\textbf{Secondary Metabolites:}} & \quad \text{By-products with ecological/defense roles; not in core primary metabolism} \\[3pt] & \quad (\text{e.g., Alkaloids, Terpenoids, Toxins, Lectins, Drugs, Pigments}) \end{aligned}

Step 2

Classification of Question Choices

- Morphine, Codeine: Alkaloids (secondary metabolites). - Vinblastin, Curcumin: Anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drugs (secondary metabolites). - Rubber, Gums: Polymeric substances (secondary metabolites). - Amino acids, Glucose: Universal building blocks and energy substrates $\implies$ Primary metabolites.

⭐

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.

4-Option Deep Scan

1 1

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Morphine and codeine are canonical plant alkaloids categorized strictly as secondary metabolites.

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Selecting secondary metabolites instead of the non-secondary metabolites.

2 2

✓ 100% Correct

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Amino acids and glucose are ubiquitous primary metabolites essential for basic cellular metabolism and macromolecular synthesis.

💡

Why this is airtight: None. Accurate recognition of fundamental primary metabolites.

3 3

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Vinblastin and curcumin are secondary metabolites classified under the "Drugs" category in the NCERT secondary metabolite table.

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Believing pharmaceutical drugs from plants cannot be secondary metabolites.

4 4

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Rubber and gums are secondary metabolites classified under "Polymeric substances".

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing industrial polymers with primary nutritional metabolites.

⚠️

NTA Trap Alert: Secondary Metabolite Table Classification Trap

NCERT has a famous dedicated table listing Secondary Metabolites (Pigments, Alkaloids, Terpenoids, Essential oils, Toxins, Lectins, Drugs, Polymeric substances).

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Remember: If it is an essential nutrient needed by every living cell (glucose, amino acids), it is a PRIMARY metabolite.

📖

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

NEET / NCERT Biology · Biomolecules Standard Benchmark

Core Scientific Principle Tested:

"Primary metabolites have identifiable functions and play known roles in normal physiological processes, e.g., amino acids, sugars. Thousands of other compounds are secondary metabolites."

Syllabus Focus: Primary and Secondary Metabolites

✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

Ready to attempt under real exam pressure?

Test your speed and accuracy in the authentic 200-minute timed NTA simulator.

Launch NEET 2021 CBT Test →

← Previous (Q.134) All Botany Questions Grid Next (Q.136) →

Classification & Functions of Biomolecules (Proteins, Polysaccharides & Secondary Metabolites)

View Solution →

Spotted a mistake in this solution? Report an error ([email protected])

⚖️ Legal & Fair Dealing Notice: Sourced from publicly released NEET 2021 question papers and NEET answer keys for private study, research, and non-commercial educational practice under Fair Dealing (Section 52(1)(a) of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957). Not affiliated with or endorsed by NTA or NMC.

NEET 2021 Botany Question 135 Solution

Question

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Amino Acids & Glucose = Universal Primary Metabolites!

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Definition of Primary vs Secondary Metabolites

Classification of Question Choices

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

NTA Trap Alert: Secondary Metabolite Table Classification Trap

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

Ready to attempt under real exam pressure?

🔗 Related Questions — Biomolecules

Secondary and Tertiary Structural Conformations of Proteins

Lassaigne's Sodium Fusion Test for Sulfur & Amino Acid Diagnostic

Classification of Vitamins and Their Primary Dietary Sources

Classification & Functions of Biomolecules (Proteins, Polysaccharides & Secondary Metabolites)

Solve 4 NEET Questions a Day — One per Subject