Secondary metabolite production seems to have arisen quite early during evolution. In plants, they seem to have spread out using mechanisms including gene duplications or the evolution of novel genes. Furthermore, research has shown that diversity in some of these compounds may be positively selected for.
The origin of secondary metabolites seems to date back to an early stage in evolution. In plants, they seem to have spread through various means, including genetic duplication and the emergence of new genes. Furthermore, studies have revealed that diversity in certain compounds is positively selected for.