Phosphorus is widely distributed in foods. The best food sources include protein rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs milk and milk product. Phosphorus is a constituent of nucleic acids, phospholipids and adenosine triphosphate.
Phosphorus is contained in the complex fat and protein compounds which are necessary for the vital bodily processes since they are present in the essential cell structure, in the cell nucleus, in the nerve cells and even in the sex cells.
Phosphorus is a constituent of the high energy compound ATP and thus is necessary for energy transductions essential for all cellular activity.
The energy released as the phosphate bond of ATP is broken provides for numerous cellular functions such as active transport pumps for nutrient absorption and for maintenance of ion concentrations, muscle cell contractions.
The active coenzyme form of certain of the B vitamins also functions as the phosphorylated derivatives.
Phospholipids are constituents of all cellular membranes and are active determinants of cellular permeability. Phospholipids which are present in various cells of human body, contain phosphorus. It aids in providing transport of fat in the blood. Inorganic phosphates in the body fluids act as a buffer system in the body.
Phosphate is an important component of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA alternating with pentose sugars to form the linear backbone of these molecules. DNA and RNA, the genetically compounds are responsible for cell reproduction and therefore for growth and all protein syntheses.
Phosphorus in human body
