What does phosphorylation do to a molecule?

Answer 1

It changes the conformation and/or function of the molecule.

Phosphorylation is the addition of a phosphate group (#PO""_4^(3-)#) to a molecule, usually a protein. Phosphate has significant mass and charge, therefore it can change the folding (conformation) of the protein it attaches to (see image below).

Changing the conformation of a protein also affects it's function; most significantly in enzymes. When enzymes change conformation, their ability to bind their substrates alters. Phosphorylation can stimulate or inhibit the function of the molecule it attaches to and is therefore an essential control mechanism for the cell.

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Answer 2

Daniel Allen

By adding a phosphate group, a molecule can change its charge and conformation, which can impact its structure and function. Phosphorylation is a modification that frequently controls enzyme activity, signaling pathways, and cellular processes.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.