Word
phosphorylation
Phoneticsphos·pho·ry·la·tion
Definition
n. the process of adding a phosphate group to a molecule, like a protein. This change often helps control how the molecule works inside a cell.
n. the biochemical process of adding a phosphate group to a molecule, typically a protein or nucleic acid. This modification often regulates cellular processes such as signal transduction and enzyme activity.
Examples
“Phosphorylation helps the cell respond to external signals.”
“Researchers are studying how phosphorylation affects the speed of muscle contractions during intense exercise.”
“The regulation of metabolic pathways often depends on the reversible phosphorylation of key enzymes, allowing the cell to rapidly adjust its energy output in response to changing environmental conditions.”
Examples
simple
“Phosphorylation helps the cell respond to external signals.”
contextual
“Researchers are studying how phosphorylation affects the speed of muscle contractions during intense exercise.”
complex
“The regulation of metabolic pathways often depends on the reversible phosphorylation of key enzymes, allowing the cell to rapidly adjust its energy output in response to changing environmental conditions.”
Real-World Examples
“These findings suggest that AKT5 normally adopts an inactive shape and, upon phosphorylation, undergoes a structural change centered around the 403rd amino acid, switching to an active shape that can transport K + .” Etymology
From phosphoryl + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/phosphorylation