Difference Between Phosphorus and Alkaline Phosphatase

The key difference between phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase is that the phosphorus is a chemical element, whereas the alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme.

Phosphorous is a chemical element having the symbol P while alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that contains phosphorous and is important in hydrolyzing phosphate esters. Therefore, these are two different terms in chemistry.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Phosphorus 
3. What is Alkaline Phosphatase
4. Side by Side Comparison – Phosphorus vs Alkaline Phosphatase in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Phosphorous?

Phosphorous is a chemical element having atomic number 15. The chemical symbol for this element is P. It exists in two major forms: white phosphorous and red phosphorus. We cannot find this element anywhere on earth as a free element because of its high reactivity. Some chemical facts about this element are as follows:

• Occurs in the solid phase at room temperature and pressure
• The atomic number is 15.
• Standard atomic weight is 30.97 amu.
• Group 15 and period 3 in the periodic table of chemical elements
• A p block element
• A reactive nonmetal
• Electron configuration is [Ne]3s²3p³
• The most common allotropes are red phosphorus and white phosphorous

White phosphorous has most applications of this element, and it appears as a soft and waxy solid. Here, the atoms are in tetrahedral P₄ molecules. Moreover, this allotrope exists in two crystalline forms as alpha form and beta form. At room temperature, the alpha form is more stable.

Red phosphorous, on the other hand, has a polymeric structure. The unit formula is P₄. Moreover, freshly prepared red phosphorus is highly reactive, and it can undergo ignition as well. However, this form is more stable than white phosphorus.

What is Alkaline Phosphatase?

Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that contains cysteine residue and zinc atoms. The enzyme has basic properties. It is a homodimeric protein enzyme. Moreover, it has a magnesium atom that is crucial for the catalytic function of the enzyme. Also, this enzyme has optimum activity at alkaline pH values. We can find this enzyme in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

The formation of this enzyme mainly occurs in the liver and bones. However, intestines and kidneys also produce this enzyme to some extent. The increase of alkaline phosphatase in our body can occur due to conditions that cause rapid bone growth.

What is the Difference Between Phosphorus and Alkaline Phosphatase?

Phosphorous is a chemical element having the atomic number 15 while alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that contains cysteine residues and zinc atoms. The key difference between phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase is that phosphorus is a chemical element whereas alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme. Therefore, we can categorize phosphorous as a chemical element, and alkaline phosphates is a chemical compound.

Moreover, phosphorus occurs as phosphates in minerals, and alkaline phosphatase occurs in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.

The below infographic summarizes the difference between phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase.

Summary – Phosphorus vs Alkaline Phosphatase

Phosphorous is a chemical element having the atomic number 15 while alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that contains cysteine residues and zinc atoms. The key difference between phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase is that phosphorus is a chemical element whereas alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme.

Reference:

1. Yazici, Yusuf. “Role of Laboratory Tests in Rheumatic Disorders.” Rheumatology, 2011, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-06551-1.00029-4.

Image Courtesy:

1. “PhosphComby” By Weißer_Phosphor.JPG: BXXXD at de.wikipediaPhosphor_rot.jpg: TomihahndorfPhosphor-rot-violett.jpg: Maksimderivative work: Materialscientist (talk) – Weißer_Phosphor.JPGPhosphor_rot.jpg also Phosphor-rot-violett.jpg (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “1ALK” By Boghog2 – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia