HealthAugust 5, 2026
phosphorylation
fos-fuh-ruh-LAY-shun
Definition
A chemical process that involves adding a phosphate group to an organic molecule, a reaction crucial for energy transfer in cells.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word 'phosphoros' (meaning 'light-bringing') and the chemical suffix '-ation.' It was coined in scientific contexts to describe the chemical addition of phosphorus-containing groups to compounds.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe metabolic reactions that could provide energy to early life forms before the evolution of ATP. It illustrates how simple chemical interactions in ancient environments may have kickstarted biological processes.
New Theory: Life on Earth May Have Arisen Twice Independently
Read the full article ↗BGNES