The non-mevalonate pathway, also known as the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, is a biochemical route used by many bacteria, plants, and some protozoa to synthesize isoprenoids. Unlike the mevalonate pathway, which occurs in animals and fungi, the non-mevalonate pathway starts with pyruvate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to produce isopentenyl pyrophosphate, a key building block for isoprenoid compounds. This pathway is significant because it provides essential precursors for the synthesis of vital molecules, including cholesterol, vitamin K, and coenzyme Q. Understanding the non-mevalonate pathway is important for developing new antibiotics and herbicides, as it is absent in humans, making it a potential target for selective treatments.