fosfaatryhmä

A phosphate group is a functional group derived from phosphoric acid, with the chemical formula PO43-. In organic chemistry and biochemistry, it is often represented as an inorganic phosphate ion, PO43-, or as part of an organic phosphate ester, R-O-PO32-. Phosphate groups are fundamental components of many essential biological molecules, including nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) where they link deoxyribose or ribose sugar units together, and phospholipids, which form the primary structure of cell membranes. The high-energy phosphate bonds in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are crucial for cellular energy transfer, as their hydrolysis releases significant amounts of energy. Inorganic phosphate also plays a role in buffering biological systems and is a key nutrient for plants and animals. The addition or removal of phosphate groups to or from proteins, a process called phosphorylation and dephosphorylation respectively, is a critical regulatory mechanism in cellular signaling pathways. The stability and reactivity of the phosphate group make it a versatile and indispensable element in biological and chemical processes.