ScienceJuly 8, 2026
metabolite
/məˈtæb.ə.laɪt/
Definition
A substance formed as an essential part of or byproduct of metabolic processes in a living organism.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Greek 'metabolē,' meaning 'change,' plus the suffix '-ite.' It entered scientific English in the late 19th century to describe the products resulting from an organism's internal chemical transformations.
In the news
In this article, metabolites are analyzed to help researchers understand how spaceflight affects the body, such as tracking gut microbial protein fermentation or predicting health risks like fractures.
NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,206 2 July 2026 (Space Life Science Research Results)
Read the full article ↗Astrobiology Web