phosphate

(fos′fāt″ )

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[ phosph(orus) + -ate ]
Any salt of phosphoric acid containing the radical PO4. Phosphates are important in the maintenance of the acid-base balance of the blood, the principal ones being monosodium and disodium phosphate. The former is acid, the latter alkaline. In the blood, because of their low concentration, they exert a minor buffering action.

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