= Natural product
A <natural product> is a chemical substance produced by a living organism, often discussed in relation to its biosynthesis, structure or biological role. The term commonly highlights specialized metabolites, but its precise breadth depends on context.
Isolating a <natural product> and making the same molecule by <total synthesis> are different routes to a chemical identity. A synthetic sample with the same connectivity and <stereochemistry> is not a different substance merely because its origin differs. Conversely, a matching elemental formula is insufficient: different isomers can have different properties. Source, purity and structural identity should therefore be kept separate.
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