DDE is an example of which type of metabolite?

DDE is an example of which type of metabolite?

• A. Pesticide
• B. Primary metabolite
• C. Carcinogen
• D. Neurotoxin

Answer: (B)

Metabolites are products formed when a substance is processed by living systems. Primary metabolites are the compounds produced during normal metabolism that support growth and basic cellular functions. DDT, a pesticide, is transformed into DDE through metabolic processes. That transformation product—DDE—is a metabolite resulting from the processing of the pesticide, fitting the idea of a primary metabolite in this context. It’s not the original pesticide itself, and while DDE can have toxic effects, the label here refers to the type of metabolite, not its toxicity.

Metabolites are products formed when a substance is processed by living systems. Primary metabolites are the compounds produced during normal metabolism that support growth and basic cellular functions. DDT, a pesticide, is transformed into DDE through metabolic processes. That transformation product—DDE—is a metabolite resulting from the processing of the pesticide, fitting the idea of a primary metabolite in this context. It’s not the original pesticide itself, and while DDE can have toxic effects, the label here refers to the type of metabolite, not its toxicity.