A phosphate group is an ion that contains one phosphorous atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. It is typically derived from a phosphoric acid and is anionic, having a negative three charge. When a phosphate group is attached to an organic compound it is bonded to that molecule by an oxygen molecule. Organic molecules containing phosphate groups are found throughout the body and perform a variety of functions.

One area that phosphate groups are found extensively is in nucleic acids, including DNA, and RNA. These molecules consist of nucleotides which contain a five carbon sugar, an organic base and a phosphate group. Nucleotides are formed in two steps; first, the sugar and the organic base react, then this unit reacts with phosphoric acid. Nucleic acids are formed by the polymerization of nucleotide monomers. Each of these monomers are connected through their phosphate groups. In this way...