Definition
noun, plural: phosphate groups
(biochemistry) A functional group or radical comprised of phosphorus attached to four oxygen, and with a net negative charge, thus represented as PO4–
Supplement
The phosphate group is important in living things in different ways. Firstly, it is an important structural component of nucleotide, which is the basic structural unit of DNA and RNA. Secondly, it is a component of energy-rich molecules, such as ATP. Thirdly, it is also bound to coenzymes like NADP / NADPH involved in anabolic reactions (such as photosynthesis in plants and lipid synthesis in animals). It is also a part of the hydrophilic head of phospholipids in biological membrane.
Related term(s):
- Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
- Phosphoproteins
- Adenosine triphosphate
- Dihydrogen phosphate
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