PHEROMONES, SOCIAL-BEHAVIOR AND THE FUNCTIONS OF SECONDARY METABOLISMIN BACTERIA

The functions of secondary metabolites in bacteria are generally not k nown, although it is to be assumed that their production in nature mus t be of some benefit to the producer organism. Most microbial secondar y metabolites may perhaps best be viewed as pheromones. Their producti on may thus represent a form of microbial social behaviour. Because ce lls that are close to each other spatially are normally closely relate d genetically, a simple application of Hamilton's rule may be used to account for the benefits that such secondary metabolite production aff ord the producer.