Phosphate: meaning, definitions and examples
๐งช
phosphate
[ หfษsหfeษชt ]
chemical compound
Phosphate is a chemical compound containing the tetrahedral anion POโยณโป. It is an important nutrient for living organisms, playing a crucial role in cellular systems, including energy transfer via adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In agriculture, phosphates are essential for promoting plant growth, with many fertilizers containing phosphate compounds. Additionally, phosphates are widely used in various industrial processes, including food preservation and the manufacturing of glass and ceramics.
Synonyms
PO4, phosphorate, phosphoric acid salt.
Examples of usage
- The soil was enriched with phosphate for better crop yields.
- Phosphate plays a vital role in energy transfer within cells.
- Many detergents contain phosphates to enhance cleaning efficiency.
Translations
Translations of the word "phosphate" in other languages:
๐ต๐น fosfato
๐ฎ๐ณ เคซเฅเคธเฅเคซเฅเค
๐ฉ๐ช Phosphat
๐ฎ๐ฉ fosfat
๐บ๐ฆ ัะพััะฐั
๐ต๐ฑ fosforan
๐ฏ๐ต ใชใณ้ ธๅกฉ
๐ซ๐ท phosphate
๐ช๐ธ fosfato
๐น๐ท fosfat
๐ฐ๐ท ์ธ์ฐ์ผ
๐ธ๐ฆ ููุณูุงุช
๐จ๐ฟ fosfรกt
๐ธ๐ฐ fosfรกt
๐จ๐ณ ็ฃท้ ธ็
๐ธ๐ฎ fosfat
๐ฎ๐ธ fosfat
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะพััะฐั
๐ฌ๐ช แคแแกแคแแขแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ fosfat
๐ฒ๐ฝ fosfato
Etymology
The term 'phosphate' derives from the Greek word 'phosphoros', meaning 'light-bringer', which was used to describe compounds that contain phosphorus, a key element found in nature. Phosphorus was discovered in 1669 by the German alchemist Hennig Brand, who isolated it from urine. The name 'phosphorus' is a combination of the Greek root and the Latin '-ate' suffix, used to denote a salt or ester in chemistry. Over time, phosphates became recognized for their critical roles in biological systems, especially as they relate to the process of photosynthesis and the synthesis of DNA and RNA. Today, phosphates are extensively utilized in agriculture, food production, and various industrial applications, solidifying their importance in both scientific and everyday contexts.