What is the definition of phosphate in geography?
phosphate mineral, any of a group of naturally occurring inorganic salts of phosphoric acid, H3(PO4). Primary phosphates commonly occur in ultramafic rocks (i.e., those very low in silica), including carbonatites and nepheline syenites. Metamorphic apatite occurs in calc-silicate rocks and impure limestones.
What is the definition of phosphatase?
Definition of phosphatase : an enzyme that accelerates the hydrolysis and synthesis of organic esters of phosphoric acid and the transfer of phosphate groups to other compounds: a : alkaline phosphatase. b : acid phosphatase.
What is an example of phosphate?
Calcium phosphate (Ca(H2PO4)2) is a good example of a condensed phosphate. These types of phosphates are naturally occurring, but can also be synthetically combined to be used in various industries. For the example of calcium phosphate, our bones and tooth enamel are strengthened by it.
What are phosphates used for?
Phosphate is necessary for the formation of bone and teeth. Phosphate is also used as a building block for several important substances, including those used by the cell for energy, cell membranes, and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The body obtains phosphate from foods and excretes it in urine and sometimes stool.
What is another name for phosphate?
orthophosphate
In this page you can discover 18 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for phosphate, like: orthophosphate, sulphate, chloride, potassium, phosphorus, triose, tricalcium, sulfate, ammonium, nitrate and magnesium.
Where is phosphate found?
Phosphate reserves are found in Africa, North America, Kazakhstan, the Middle East and Oceania but the world’s largest deposits are located in Morocco, which is also one of the global leaders in phosphate extraction.
What is the symbol of phosphorus?
P
Phosphorus/Symbol
phosphorus (P), nonmetallic chemical element of the nitrogen family (Group 15 [Va] of the periodic table) that at room temperature is a colourless, semitransparent, soft, waxy solid that glows in the dark.
Are phosphates polar?
The phosphate group is the negatively-charged polar head, which is hydrophilic. The fatty acid chains are the uncharged, nonpolar tails, which are hydrophobic.
Why is phosphate so important?
It plays an important role in how the body uses carbohydrates and fats. It is also needed for the body to make protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues. Phosphorus also helps the body make ATP, a molecule the body uses to store energy. Phosphorus works with the B vitamins.
Who produces phosphate?
While nearly 30 countries produce phosphate rock, China, the United States and Morocco are the largest producers, together accounting for two-thirds of world production. Morocco alone accounts for more than 30 percent of global exports.