The specificity of phosphomonoesterases in human tissues

Phosphates are present in many human and animal tissues, and the activity of these enzymes may easily be estimated, but it is very difficult to draw conclusions about theirphysiological role. In discussing the significance of the phosphatases, we must consider not only the enzyme activity but also the substrate; first, whether it has access to the enzyme and, secondly, how the enzyme acts upon it. This second question leads to the problem of the specificity of phosphatases.