My Science Project:

Phosphorus
By Ariya G7
 Introduction

• Phosphorus is the 15th chemical element of the periodic table.

• It and most other elements are divided into allotropes which is a type of
division of elements.
• It exists in two main forms: white phosphorus and red phosphorus.
 Allotropes of Phosphorus
White Phosphorus

• This is a tetrahedral structure which causes instability.

• When exposed to light, it turns yellow: yellow phosphorus.
• When exposed to oxygen it turns greenish dark and is highly flammable and toxic.
• Inhalation can cause severe liver damage and phossy jaw which is a disease where
there are several toothaches and gum damage and swollen mouth.
• It is slightly soluble in water and is only safe when submerged in water and is also
soluble in benzene and oil.
 Allotropes of Phosphorus
Red Phosphorus

• Red phosphorus is formed by heating white phosphorus to 300 degrees Celsius is

the absence of air or by exposing it to sunlight.
• When heated further, it crystallizes.
• Red phosphorus does not ignite in air at temperatures below 240 °C while pieces
of white phosphorus ignite at about 30 °C.
 Phosphorus in our bodies

• Phosphorus is one of the biggest element in our bodies.

• About 85% of the phosphorus in our body is in bones and teeth.
• Phosphorus is also present in cells and tissues in a smaller amount.
 Uses of Phosphorus in our Bodies

• Phosphorus and calcium combine to help make strong bones and teeth.
• It helps filter out waste in the kidney and also helps the body store energy.
• It can also help reduce muscle pain after a tiring workout.
• Phosphorus is needed for growth, maintenance and to repair tissues and
cells.
• It also builds genetic building blocks, DNA and RNA.
• It also balances other vitamins and minerals in the body such as Vitamin D,
iodine, magnesium and zinc.
 Food Sources

• Most people have lots of phosphorus in their diets hence phosphorus is a

common element in foods.
• It is available in milk, grains and protein-rich foods such as meat and beans.
• Phosphorus is also available in sodas because they contain phosphoric acid.
 Hypophosphatemia

• This is the deficiency disease of phosphorus.

• This is due to a small number of phosphate in the blood stream.
• This may cause rickets in children and osteomalacia (a disease where the
bones soften due to lack of Vitamin D and calcium) in adults.
• Hypophosphatemia can also cause osteoporosis which is a disease where
the bone mass decreases and makes the person fragile.
 Symptoms

• Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency include loss of appetite, anxiety, bone

pain, fragile bones, stiff joints, fatigue, irregular breathing, irritability,
numbness, weakness, and weight change.
• In children, decreased growth and poor bone and tooth development may
occur.
 Additional Diseases
• There are other diseases that lead to the lack of phosphorus.
• Diabetes, starvation and alcoholism can cause the body's phosphorus to
stop working.
• This also occurs when it is hard for people to absorb nutrients such as
Crohn's disease which is a disease that involves diarrhea, loss of appetite
and loss of weight.
• Some medications can cause phosphorus levels to drop such as antacids and
water pills.
 Phosphorus deficiency in plants

• Phosphorus is a vital component of ATP which is the energy in plants.

• ATP is formed during photosynthesis.
• Phosphorus deficiency is more common in plants than potassium and
nitrogen deficiency.
• It occurs in the fruiting parts of the plants and makes the plants change color
to dark bluish-green in color in the leaves and the stem becoming purplish. 
 To much phosphorus
• This is a more common disease than hypophosphatemia .
• To much phosphorus is usually caused by kidney disease and results in too
less calcium.
• Calcium also plays an important role next to phosphorus and can cause
hypocalcemia with an over-intake.
• High intakes of phosphorus can also result in cardiovascular disease.
• The more phosphorus you take, the more calcium you need.
• The delicate balance between phosphorus and calcium is needed for proper
bone density and prevention of osteoporosis.
 Energy

• Yes it provides energy.

• One of its functions is to make energy in cells.
• Your main energy-storage molecule, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
contains phosphorus.
 ATP

• It is the energy that gives us life.

• It is present in the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm of every cell.
• The ATP can power needed reactions by losing one of its phosphorous
groups to form ADP.
 Bibliography

• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allotropes_of_phosphorus
• http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/phosphorus
• http://www.cropnutrition.com/efu-phosphorus
• http://www.dummies.com/health/nutrition/vitamins/phosphorus-essential-nutrition-for-all-bod
y-cells
/
• http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Biology/atp.html
THANK YOU