1-8 Inorganic ions

Question 1

What are inorganic ions?

Answer 1

• Inorganic ions occur in solution in the cytoplasm and body fluid of organisms, some in high concentrations and others in very low concentrations.

Question 2

Give examples of essential ions?

Answer 2

• Hydrogen ions which determine the pH of substances such as blood, the higher the concentration of hydrogen ions the lower the pH.
• Iron ions are a component of haemoglobin which is an oxygen carrying molecule in red blood cells.
• Sodium ions are involved in co-transport of glucose and amino acids.
• Phosphate ions are a component of DNA and ATP.