PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER Meaning and
Definition
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A phosphate transporter refers to a type of protein or carrier molecule involved in the transport of phosphate ions across cellular membranes. Phosphate transporters play a crucial role in the regulation and maintenance of phosphate levels in living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
In plants, phosphate transporters are primarily associated with root cells and are responsible for extracting phosphate ions from the soil and transporting them into the root cells. The phosphate ions are subsequently transferred through the plant's vascular system to different parts of the plant, where they are essential for several cellular processes, including DNA synthesis, energy production, and the formation of proteins and cell membranes.
In animals, phosphate transporters are found in various tissues and organs, including the intestine, kidney, and bone. These transporters help in the absorption of dietary phosphate from the gut into the bloodstream, as well as in the reabsorption of filtered phosphate in the kidneys, thereby maintaining phosphate homeostasis in the body.
Phosphate transporters are integral membrane proteins that span the lipid bilayer of cellular membranes. They utilize specific transport mechanisms, such as active transport or facilitated diffusion, to move phosphate ions across the membrane against or along their concentration gradients, respectively.
Understanding the structure and function of phosphate transporters is of great interest in the field of biology and biochemistry, as it helps elucidate the underlying mechanisms of phosphate metabolism and its relevance to various physiological processes.
Common Misspellings for PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER
- ohosphate transporter
- lhosphate transporter
- -hosphate transporter
- 0hosphate transporter
- pgosphate transporter
- pbosphate transporter
- pnosphate transporter
- pjosphate transporter
- puosphate transporter
- pyosphate transporter
- phisphate transporter
- phksphate transporter
- phlsphate transporter
- phpsphate transporter
- ph0sphate transporter
- ph9sphate transporter
- phoaphate transporter
- phozphate transporter
- phoxphate transporter
- phodphate transporter
Etymology of PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER
The etymology of the word "phosphate transporter" can be broken down as follows:
1. Phosphate: The term "phosphate" is derived from the Greek word "phosphoros", meaning "light-bringer". This name was given to the element phosphorus due to its ability to glimmer in the dark. The suffix "-ate" is added to denote a compound containing oxygen and phosphorus.
2. Transporter: The term "transporter" comes from the verb "transport", which is derived from the Latin word "transportare". "Transportare" is a combination of the prefix "trans", meaning "across", and the verb "portare", meaning "to carry".
Therefore, "phosphate transporter" refers to a protein or molecule that facilitates the movement of phosphate ions across cellular membranes.
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