LIFE SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The genes, which direct heredity and other cellular functions and are found in the nucleus of each cell, are molecules of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), which all contain phosphorus.

Detailed explanation-2: -Phosphorus plays a major role in the structural framework of DNA and RNA. Living cells use phosphate to transport cellular energy with adenosine triphosphate (ATP), necessary for every cellular process that uses energy. ATP is also important for phosphorylation, a key regulatory event in cells.

Detailed explanation-3: -Nucleic acids contain the same elements as proteins: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen; plus phosphorous (C, H, O, N, and P). Nucleic acids are very large macromolecules composed of repetitive units of the same building blocks, nucleotides, similar to a pearl necklace made of many pearls.

Detailed explanation-4: -Phosphorus compounds occur widely in nature with some of the most common forms being phosphate rocks and minerals, bones, teeth, etc. Phosphate minerals include calcium phosphate, Ca3(PO4)2; apatite, Ca5(PO4)3OH; fluorapatite, Ca5(PO4)3F; and chloroapatite, Ca5(PO4)3Cl.