Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 35 : Phosphorus

Introduction

Phosphorus is about 1 % of body weight and an essential mineral that is required by every cell for normal function. Approximately 85% of the body's phosphorus is found in bones and teeth as calcium phosphate and the rest is present as phosphates of sodium and potassium in soft tissues and body fluids. About 400 to 700 g of phosphorus exists as phosphates. Phosphorus is present in the body as inorganic salts of phosphoric acid or in combination with organic compounds.

The important organic compounds containing phosphorus are:

• Phospholipids, e.g., lecithin, cephalin,
• Nucleoproteins and nucleic acids,
• Creatine phosphate, ATP(Adenosine Tri Phosphate) and ADP (Adenosine Di Phosphate) and Coenzymes, I, II and Co-carboxylase
• Hexose phosphates, triosephosphates and glycerophosphates.