Define primary metabolites.

Study the given statements and select the correct option?
(i) Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids are primary metabolites
(ii) Alkaloids, flavonoids, rubber etc; are secondary metabolites
(iii) Linoleic, linolenic and palmitic acids are the three essential fatty acids

Medicines are either man-made (i.e., synthetic) or obtained from living organisms like plants, bacteria, animals, etc., and hence the latter are called natural products. Sometimes natural products are chemically altered by man to reduce toxicity or side effects.

Write whether vitamin C is initially obtained as a natural product or as a synthetic chemical.