Antibiotics and Allelopathy

Antibiotics and allelopathic agents are secondary metabolites

A secondary metabolites is a substances produced by a pathway that only exists in same taxonomic group

--> aren't essential for cell growth or its function

Deters potential competitors from their ecological niches

Antibiotics:

Secreted by microorganisms to kill, inhibit or prevent the growth of other species of organisms

Produced by many fungi

E.g. penicillin

Allelopathic Agents:

Secreted into the soil by plants to kill or deter the growth of neighbouring plants.

E.g. sunflowers + walnuts