Definition

A chemical compound that includes three phosphate groups, often found in biological systems.

Example

Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is a common triphosphate used for energy transfer in cells.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of triphosphate compounds in biology?

Yeah, I think they play a role in energy transfer, right?

Exactly! ATP is a well-known example of a triphosphate molecule.

That's cool! It's amazing how much they impact cellular processes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Triphosphate → It is formed from 'tri-' (meaning three) and 'phosphate' (from Greek 'phosphoros', meaning light-bearing or phosphorus, combined with 'phate' from 'phosphoric', meaning relating to phosphorus). The word 'triphosphate' refers to a molecule that contains three phosphate groups.

Memory Tip

Think of 'tri-' meaning three, and 'phosphate' relating to phosphorus — so triphosphate is a molecule with three phosphate groups.

Visually Confused Words