ABSTRACT
Phosphorus biochemistry is dominated by two phosphate esters, namely ATP and DNA. There are, however, many other P compounds (e.g. phosphoenzymes) which play a crucial role in metabolic processes. Phosphorus has more known biochemical functions in the body than any other single mineral element. If carbon compounds are regarded as the ‘building blocks’ of life, phosphorus must surely be regarded as the ‘site manager’. Important non-bio parallels between carbon chemistry and phosphorus chemistry have been recognised in recent decades (Chapter 6).
