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The 'arsenate' ion is AsO₄³⁻.
An 'arsenate' (compound) is some compound that contains this ion.

Contents

Ions

Arsenate poisoning

External links

Ions

Arsenate is much like phosphate.

★ In acid conditions we have arsenic acid, H₃AsO₄;

★ in weakly acid conditions we have the 'dihydrogen arsenate' ion, H₂AsO₄⁻;

★ in weakly basic conditions we have 'hydrogen arsenate' ion HAsO₄²⁻;

★ and finally, in basic conditions, the arsenate ion AsO₄³⁻.
Arsenate has a valency of 5 and is also known as pentavalent arsenic

Arsenate poisoning

Arsenate can replace inorganic phosphate in the step of glycolysis that produces1,3-bisphosphoglycerate to produce 1-arseno-3-phosphoglycerate instead. This molecule is unstable and quickly hydrolyzes, forming the next intermediate in the pathway, 3-phosphoglycerate. Therefore glycolysis proceeds, but the ATP molecule that would be generated from 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate is lost - arsenate is an uncoupler of glycolysis.

External links

★ Case Studies in Environmental Medicine - Arsenic Toxicity