The phosphate ion is an important chemical species in both biology and chemistry. Its formula is PO43-. This ion consists of one phosphorus atom (P) and four oxygen atoms (O), arranged in a tetrahedral structure.
The charge of the phosphate ion is 3-. This negative charge is due to the presence of three extra electrons compared to the number of protons in the ion. The phosphate ion is commonly found in various compounds, including those in DNA, RNA, and ATP, making it crucial for many biological processes.