1.6.4 - inorganic ions Flashcards
what is ion
atom (or group of atoms) that has an electrical charge
positive ion
cation
negative ion
anion
inorganic ion
an ion that does not contain carbon
inorganic ion role
plays an important role in many essential cellular processes
inorganic ions occur in solution in
-cytoplasm and body fluids of organisms
-some occur in high concentrations and others in very low concentrations
-the concentration of certain ions can fluctuate and cell be used in cell signalling and neuronal transmission
-each type of inorganic ion has a specific role, depending on its properties
inorganic ions
-hydrogen H+
-iron Fe2+/Fe3+
-sodium ions Na+
-phosphate ions PO4 3-
-calcium ions Ca2+
what are hydrogen ions
protons
what does concentration of H+ determine
pH
relationship between pH value and H+ ion present
-inverse relationship between value of pH and H+ ion concentration
-the more H+ ions the lower the pH as more acidic
-the fewer H+ ions the higher the pH as more alkaline
how does concentration of pH affect enzyme controlled reactions
-affects the pH
-fluids in the body normally have a pH of approximately 7.4
-the maintenance of this normal pH is essential for many of the metabolic processes that take place within cells
-changes in pH can effect enzyme structure
-for example, abnormal levels of hydrogen ions can interact with side-chains of amino acids and change into secondary and tertiary structures of proteins that make up enzymes
-this can cause denaturation of enzymes
what do the iron ions depend on
oxidation states
what is Iron (II) also known as
ferrous ions (Fe2+)
what is Iron (III) also known as
ferric ions (Fe3+)
use of Iron ions in binding oxygen
-haemoglobin is the large protein in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen around the body
-haemoglobin is made up of 4 polypeptide chains that each contain one Fe2+
-this Fe2+ is a key component in haemoglobin as it binds to oxygen
-Myoglobin in muscles function in a similar way (is an oxygen binding protein) but only made of one polypeptide chain (containing one Fe2+)