1.1 Inorganic Ions:

Question 1

What is an inorganic ion?

Answer 1

An inorganic ion is a molecule or ion comprising of no more than one carbon atom.
E.g. Mg2+, Fe2+, PO4 3-, and Ca2+

Question 2

What type of cellular processes require inorganic ions - 3 key points? What is another word for an inorganic ion?

Answer 2

An inorganic ion is also called an electrolyte. These electrolytes are crutial in process such as
- muscle coordination
- nervous coordicnation
- maintaining water potential in cells and blood

Question 3

What 2 groups are inorganic ions devised into?

Answer 3

Maconutrients & Micronutrients

Question 4

What is the first macronutrient described in the book? Explain its importance in….

Answer 4

Mg2+ - This ion is a key component of the chlorophyll molecule. Thus, key for photosynthesis. It is electrically bound to the centre of the haem group.

Question 5

What deficiency highlights a lack of Mg2+ in plants?

Answer 5

Chlorosis.

Question 6

What will a plant do if there is a lack of Mg2+?

Answer 6

Mg2+ is translocated in the plant from the chlorophyll in the lower leaves of the plant to the upper leaves - where it is required most… This is why you can spot intervenial chlorosis in the LOWER leaves FIRST…

Question 7

What is the second maconutrient described in the book? Where is found? How many sub-units in haemoglobin?

Answer 7

Fe2+ - In haemoglobin.
Haemoglobin has 4 sub-units, each polypeptide has a haem with the iron group in it.

Question 8

What is a deficiency of Fe2+ called? What does a lack of iron cause, and why?

Answer 8

Anemia. Causing fatigue due to a lack of red blood cells transporting oxygen.

Question 9

What is the 3rd macronutrient called? What is it used in? What membrane do they form? What is special about this ion?

Answer 9

PO4 3- (Phosphate ion)
Used in making nucleotides. They also go on to form phospholipid bi-layers - biological membrane.
This ion is hydrophyllic (due to phosphate group) at one end & hydrophobic (due to fatty acid chain) at the other end.

Question 10

What is the 4th macronutrient called? Why is it key in bones & teeth? Where else is it important?

Answer 10

Ca 2+
Key STRUCTURAL part of bones & teeth in mammals.
Also important in the cell walls of plants - gives strength