Record Information
Version1.0
StatusDetected and Quantified
Creation Date2021-11-19 04:52:30 UTC
Update Date2024-04-30 20:11:59 UTC
Metabolite IDMMDBc0033532
Metabolite Identification
Common NamePhosphorus
DescriptionPhosphorus, in its common form, is a waxy white (or yellowish) solid that has a characteristic disagreeable smell similar to that of garlic. Pure forms of the element are colourless and transparent. This nonmetal is not soluble in water, but is soluble in carbon disulfide. The white allotrope ignites spontaneously in air; however, both white and red phosphorus burn in air to produce phosphorus pentoxide. Phosphorus is a key element in all known forms of life. Physiologically, it exists as an ion in the body. Inorganic phosphorus in the form of the phosphate PO43- plays a major role in biological molecules such as DNA and RNA where it forms part of the structural framework of these molecules. Living cells also utilize phosphate to transport cellular energy via adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Nearly every cellular process that uses energy gets it in the form of ATP. ATP is also important for phosphorylation, a key regulatory event in cells. Phospholipids are the main structural components of all cellular membranes. Calcium phosphate salts are used by animals to stiffen their bones. An average person contains a little less than 1 kg of phosphorus, about three quarters of which is present in bones and teeth in the form of apatite. A well-fed adult in the industrialized world consumes and excretes about 1-3 g of phosphorus per day in the form of phosphate. Phosphorus is an essential mineral macronutrient, which is studied extensively in soil conservation in order to understand plant uptake from soil systems. Due to its reactivity to air and many other oxygen containing substances, phosphorus is not found free in nature, but it is widely distributed in many different minerals. Phosphorus is found to be associated with glycerol intolerance syndrome, which is an inborn error of metabolism.
Structure
Synonyms
ValueSource
15PChEBI
FosforoChEBI
PChEBI
PhosphorChEBI
PhosphoreChEBI
Hittorf'S phosphorusHMDB
PhosphorousHMDB
Phosphorus-30HMDB
Red phosphorusHMDB
Violet phosphorusHMDB
White phosphorusHMDB
Phosphorus 31HMDB
Phosphorus, redHMDB
Phosphorus-31HMDB
Phosphorus, whiteHMDB
Phosphorus, blackHMDB
Yellow phosphorusHMDB
Phosphorus, yellowHMDB
Black phosphorusHMDB
PhosphorusChEBI
Molecular FormulaP
Average Mass30.9738
Monoisotopic Mass30.973761512
IUPAC Namephosphanylidyne
Traditional Namephosphanylidyne
CAS Registry Number7723-14-0
SMILES
[P]
InChI Identifier
InChI=1S/P
InChI KeyOAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N