How are phosphates incorporated into the organic molecules in plants and animals?

Question

Biology

Jacklyn

2 August, 15:33

How are phosphates incorporated into the organic molecules in plants and animals?

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Answers (2)

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Larissa Bernard · Answer 1

Phosphate are incorporated into the organic molecules in plants and animals by being absorbed by plants and used in synthesis. The phosphate is concentrated in plant tissues, and consumed by animals ... Phosphorus that is carried by runoff to the oceans exist as phosphates, and it concentrates to marine sediment.

Giovani Underwood · Answer 2

Answer with Explanation:

In the Phosphorus cycle, once the plants and animals die, their phosphate-containing compounds return to the soil or are embedded in the ocean bed. The "inorganic phosphates" from the soil are taken up by the plants. Those in the ocean bed are taken up by aquatic plants, while others are brought back to the shore through the process of "weathering." Still, these are taken up by plants. The animals then also take in the inorganic phosphate by eating plants.

Once the plants and animals take up the inorganic phosphate, it is incorporated into the organic molecules of plants, such as proteins, nucleic acid (DNA, RNA), lipids, carbohydrates, etc. The phosphate plays a crucial role in plants' and animals' cell development. It also assists in the storage and transfer of energy.