"Phosphorus, abbreviated P with atomic number 15, is an essential element in all living organisms. How do organisms use phosphorus?
It would be hard to imagine a habitable planet without phosphorus, because most astrobiologists recognize the uniqueness of nucleic acids, ATP and phospholipids for cells.
So this poses a question: how did Earth become blessed with so much of this
element?
Maybe we need to add another zone to our list of habitable zones: the “Phosphorus Availability Zone.” But this is only a problem for materialists. The Creator tells us in His word that He “made the world to be inhabited” (Isaiah 45:18)." CEH
- Phosphorus is an essential element in nucleic acids (DNA, RNA).
- The energy molecule ATP has three phosphate groups. A cell spends enormous effort recycling ATP.
- Phosphorylation is an important regulatory step in many cell processes.
- Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids.
- Bones and tooth enamel get their hardness from hydroxyapatite, a phosphorus-containing mineral.
- Phosphorus is taken up by plants from the soil. Its availability can be a limiting factor in ecosystems.
- Lack of phosphorus can cause malnutrition.
It would be hard to imagine a habitable planet without phosphorus, because most astrobiologists recognize the uniqueness of nucleic acids, ATP and phospholipids for cells.
So this poses a question: how did Earth become blessed with so much of this
The phosphorus cycle in a typical cropping system is particularly complex, ... movement through the soil |
Maybe we need to add another zone to our list of habitable zones: the “Phosphorus Availability Zone.” But this is only a problem for materialists. The Creator tells us in His word that He “made the world to be inhabited” (Isaiah 45:18)." CEH