phosphate (PO43−)

phosphate (PO43) /fos′fāt/ , 1. an anion of phosphoric acid. 2. a salt of phosphoric acid. Phosphates are extremely important in living cells, particularly in the storage and use of energy and the transmission of genetic information within a cell and from one cell to another. See also adenosine diphosphate, adenosine triphosphate, phosphorus.