1. a chemical reaction in which a phosphate group is introduced into a molecule by the action of inorganic phosphate, typically breaking a bond and forming a new compound.
Usage: biochemistry; technical term

Examples

• Phosphorolysis of glycogen produces glucose-1-phosphate, which is then converted to glucose-6-phosphate.
• The enzyme catalyzes the phosphorolysis of the substrate in the presence of inorganic phosphate.
• In cellular metabolism, phosphorolysis plays an important role in breaking down stored polysaccharides.
• The reaction mechanism of phosphorolysis differs from hydrolysis because it incorporates phosphate rather than water.
• Phosphorolysis is a key step in the mobilization of glucose from glycogen stores during energy demand.