A structure kinetic model was established for describing the relationship among cell growth, genistein formation and substrate utilization in suspension culture of Maackia amurensis. In this model, sucrose uptake, structure components production, intermediate matter changes, cell respiration loss and secondary metabolite (genistein) production were all predicted. The parameter sensitivity test was indicated that intermediate matter self-catalysis rate constant (k(b1)), structure component synthesis rate constant (k(b2)) and secondary metabolite synthesis rate constant (k(p)) were the most sensitive parameters for this model. If k(b1), k(b2) or k(p) are changed by 10%, the range of the aim function value would be changed by 12.8%, 4.61% and 2.54%, respectively. Adjustment of the other parameters only aroused a change of less than 0.5% in the aim function value. The predicted values were in good agreement with those obtained experimentally.