Genetically identical cells in different conditions and environments can use different metabolic pathways to sustain themselves, and by measuring the metabolites present, scientists can infer the metabolic pathways used, and infer useful information about the state of the cell.
Genetically identical cells in different conditions and environments can use different metabolic pathways. This is to sustain themselves. Scientists were measuring the metabolites present. Scientists can infer the metabolic pathways used. Scientists can infer useful information about the state of the cell.