"The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in many of the chemical changes of compounds that are not necessarily required for growth and maintenance of cells, and are often unique to a taxon. In multicellular organisms secondary metabolism is generally carried out in specific cell types, and may be useful for the organism as a whole. In unicellular organisms, secondary metabolism is often used for the production of antibiotics or for the utilization and acquisition of unusual nutrients." [GOC:go_curators]

http://www.phoc.org.cn/pmo/class/PMO_00061653

http://www.phoc.org.cn/pmo/class/PMO_00056358