1.11 - Chemistry for life Flashcards
What are nitrate(NO3 -) ions used for?
The formation of amino acids in plants
What are phosphate(PO4 3-) ions used for?
The formation of ATP, ADP, DNA and RNA
What are choride(Cl -) ions used for?
Needed in nerve impulses and secretory systems
What are hydrogen carbonate(HCO3 -) ions used for?
Buffering the blood to prevent it from becoming too acidic
What are sodium(Na+) ions used for?
Needed in nerve impulses and secretory systems
What are calcium(Ca 2+) ions used for?
The formation of calcium pectate for the middle lamella between two cell walls in plants and for bone formation and muscle contraction in animals
What are hydrogen(H+) ions used for?
Needed in cellular respiration and photosynthesis and in numerous pumps and systems in organisms as well as pH balance
What are magnesium(Mg 2+) ions used for?
Needed for production of chlorophyll in plants
What bond can form between water molecules? Why?
Hydrogen due to the slightly negative charge on the oxygen atom and the slightly positive charge on the hydrogen atoms
Give some important properties of water
- Polar solvent
- Most dense at 4 degrees
- Less dense as a solid
- Cohesive
- Adhesive
- Very high surface tension
What does it mean to be cohesive?
The forces between the molecules allow them to stick to each other
What does it mean to be adhesive?
The molecules are attracted to other, different molecules
