3.1 Biological Elements Flashcards
What chemical elements make up carbohydrates?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen
(usually in the ratio of Cx(H20)x
What chemical elements make up proteins?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Sulfur
What chemical elements make up lipids?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen
What chemical elements make up nucleic acid?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus
What is an ion?
An atom that has an electrical charge, the total number of electrons and protons is not equal to
What is a cation?
A ion with a positive charge
What is an anion?
An ion with a negative charge
What is an inorganic ion?
An ion which doesn’t contain carbon (although there are some exceptions)
What are the cations that play important roles in living organisms
Calcium (Ca2+), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Hydrogen (H+), Ammonium (NH4+)
What are the anions that play important roles in living organisms
Nitrate (NO3-), Hydrogen Carbonate (HCO3-), Chloride (Cl-), Phosphate (PO4 3-), Hydroxide (OH-)
What is the role of Calcium ions (Ca2+)?
Nerve impulse transmission, Muscle contraction
What is the role of Sodium ions (Na+)?
Nerve impulse transmission, Kidney function
What is the role of Potassium ions (K+)?
Nerve impulse transmission, Stomatal opening
What is the role of Hydrogen ions (H+)?
Catalysis of reactions, pH determination
What is the role of Ammonium ions (NH4+)?
Production of nitrate ions by bacteria
