1.6 Inorganic ions

Question 1

What are the important anions?

Answer 1

nitrate ions
phosphate ions
chloride ions
hydrogen carbonate ions

Question 2

What are the important cations?

Answer 2

sodium ions
calcium ions
hydrogen ions
magnesium ions

Question 3

What is the name and function of NO3-

Answer 3

nitrate ions
needed in plants for amino acid formation - and therefore, proteins from the products of photosynthesis and DNA formation

Question 4

What is the name and function of PO4 3-?

Answer 4

phosphate ions
needed in all living things for the formation of ATP, ADP, DNA and RNA

Question 5

What is the name and function of Cl- ?

Answer 5

chloride ions
needed in nerve impulses and many secretory systems

Question 6

What is the name and function of HCO3 - ?

Answer 6

hydrogen carbonate ions
needed for buffering the blood to prevent it from becoming too acidic

Question 7

What is the name and function of Na+ ?

Answer 7

sodium ions
needed in nerve impulses an many secretory systems

Question 8

What is the name and function of Ca2+ ?

Answer 8

calcium ions
needed for formation of calcium pectate for middle lamella between 2 cell walls in plants and for bone formation and muscle contraction in animals

Question 9

What is the name and function of H+ ?

Answer 9

hydrogen ions
needed in cellular respiration and photosynthesis
needed in numerous pumps and systems in organisms and pH balance

Question 10

What is the name and function of Mg2+ ?

Answer 10

needed for production of chlorophyll in plants