What is phytochemistry? The chemistry of plants (secondary metabolites)

Plants produce secondary metabolites: chemical compounds that have a variety of functions in plants, such as defense against pathogens and animals and attracting pollinators. We humans also use secondary metabolites for a variety of purposes, including as drugs, pigments, fragrances, and much more. This video provides an overview of phytochemistry: a word that literally means plant chemistry. It covers the differences between primary metabolites and secondary metabolites, the economic importance of secondary metabolites, and the three main structural classes of secondary metabolites: alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. I have included information on the functions of these chemical compound classes in plants, chemical structures, human uses, and examples of each class of secondary metabolite.

0:09 What is phytochemistry?
0:27 Primary metabolites
1:12 Secondary metabolites
2:01 Secondary metabolites' economic importance
2:56 Classes of secondary metabolites
3:15 Alkaloids
4:31 Terpenoids
6:50 Phenolic compounds

Citation
"The number of higher plant species on this planet (angiosperms and gymnosperms is estimated at 250,000...Of these only about 6% have been screened for biological activity."

Further Reading