Fosfatiryhmä

Fosfatiryhmä, known scientifically as the phosphate group, is a functional group in organic and inorganic chemistry with the chemical formula PO4³⁻. It consists of a central phosphorus atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. In organic chemistry, it is often represented as a phosphorus atom double-bonded to one oxygen atom and single-bonded to three other oxygen atoms, each of which may be attached to other atoms or molecules. This arrangement gives the phosphate group a net negative charge of -3.

The phosphate group is of fundamental importance in biological systems. It is a key component of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, where it forms the phosphodiester backbone that links the sugar units together. Furthermore, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of cells, contains three phosphate groups. The hydrolysis of ATP, which involves the breaking of phosphate bonds, releases energy that powers numerous cellular processes. Phosphates are also integral to the structure of phospholipids, the main building blocks of cell membranes, and are involved in cellular signaling pathways and protein regulation through phosphorylation.

In inorganic chemistry, phosphates are salts or esters of phosphoric acid. They are abundant in nature, notably in phosphate rock, which is mined as a source of phosphorus for fertilizers. The phosphate group's ability to form stable esters and its role in energy transfer make it a ubiquitous and vital chemical entity across diverse scientific fields.