History of Phosphorus Discovery

How was phosphorus first made by Hennig Brandt?

What did Hennig Brandt initially think he had discovered when he made phosphorus?

Who did Hennig Brandt sell phosphorus to when he ran out of money?

What did Robert Boyle do upon being fascinated by phosphorus exhibited in London?

What material could be used to make phosphorus more widely available in the 1800s?

What is the major role of phosphate in living cells?

What is hypophosphatemia?

How is phosphorus absorption described in the text?

What is the normal range for serum or plasma phosphate concentration in adults?

How do high phosphorus intakes impact serum PTH levels?

What happens when kidney function declines in relation to phosphate excretion?

What are phospholipids primarily associated with in the body?

Which hormone affects phosphorus homeostasis along with vitamin D?

What is the main structural component in bones and tooth enamel involving phosphorus and calcium?

What happens when there is a combination of high phosphorus intake and low calcium intake?

Discovery of Phosphorus

Hennig Brandt discovered phosphorus in 1669 by evaporating urine and heating the residue until it was red hot, collecting phosphorus vapor by condensing it in water.

Properties of Phosphorus

Phosphorus is generally colorless, odorless, and nonvolatile.

Roles of Phosphorus

Plays a major role in the structural framework of DNA and RNA.
Living cells use phosphate to transport cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Acts as a structural component of all cellular membranes.
Calcium phosphate helps in stiffening bones.

Sources of Phosphorus

Milk
Meat
Soybean products
Eggs
Seeds and nuts
Fruits and vegetables

Hypophosphatemia: low levels of soluble phosphate inside the cell and in blood serum, leading to neurological disorders, disruption of muscle and blood cells due to lack of ATP.
Hyperphosphatemia: high levels of phosphate, leading to calcification, hardening of organs and soft tissues.

Phosphorus in the Human Body

Makes up about 1% to 1.4% of fat-free mass.
85% of phosphorus is found in bones and teeth, and the other 15% is distributed throughout the blood and soft tissues.

Absorption and Regulation of Phosphorus

Phosphorus undergoes passive absorption in the small intestine and active transport.
Interrelated with calcium, as hormones like vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulate the metabolism of both minerals.
Kidneys, bones, and intestines regulate phosphorus homeostasis, maintaining urinary losses equivalent to net phosphorus absorption.

Assessment of Phosphorus Status

Normal phosphate concentration in serum or plasma: 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL (0.81 to 1.45 mmol/L).
Hypophosphatemia: serum phosphate concentrations lower than the low end of the normal range.
Hyperphosphatemia: serum phosphate concentrations higher than the high end of the normal range.

Explore the fascinating history of phosphorus discovery, from Hennig Brandt's experiments to the involvement of Robert Boyle. Learn how phosphorus was first made and the initial misconceptions surrounding its properties.