Which one of the following is wrong statement?a)Phosphorus is a consti...
Phosphorus is not a constituent of proteins. actually sulphur is a constituent of proteins
Which one of the following is wrong statement?a)Phosphorus is a consti...
Explanation:
Phosphorus is an essential element found in all living organisms. It plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including the structure and function of cell membranes, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and proteins. However, the statement mentioned in option A is incorrect. Phosphorus is not a constituent of cell membranes.
Phosphorus in Cell Membranes:
- Cell membranes are primarily composed of lipids, specifically phospholipids. Phospholipids consist of a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-fearing) tail.
- The hydrophilic head is composed of glycerol and a phosphate group, while the hydrophobic tail is composed of fatty acids.
- The phosphate group in phospholipids provides a polar and charged region, which interacts with water molecules on one side of the membrane.
- The fatty acid chains provide a nonpolar and hydrophobic region, which avoids contact with water molecules on the other side of the membrane.
- This arrangement of phospholipids forms a bilayer structure, known as the phospholipid bilayer, which is the main component of cell membranes.
Phosphorus in Nucleic Acids and Proteins:
- Phosphorus is an essential component of nucleic acids, namely DNA and RNA.
- In DNA, phosphorus forms the backbone of the double helix structure, connecting the sugar molecules (deoxyribose) through phosphate groups.
- In RNA, phosphorus is also present in the backbone, connecting the sugar molecules (ribose) through phosphate groups.
- Phosphorus is also a constituent of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary energy currency of cells.
- ATP molecules contain three phosphate groups, which are responsible for storing and releasing energy during cellular processes.
Therefore, the correct statement is that phosphorus is a constituent of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins, but not of cell membranes.
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