3.1.8 Inorganic ions

Question 1

what is an ion

Answer 1

an atom that has an electric charge

Question 2

what is an inorganic ion?

Answer 2

ion that does not contain carbon

Question 3

Where do inorganic ions occur

Answer 3

Inorganic ions occur in solution in the cytoplasm and body fluids of organisms, some in high concentrations and others in very low concentrations.

Question 4

What does the specific role of an ion depend on

Answer 4

Its properties

Question 5

examples of inorganic ions

Answer 5

hydrogen ions, phosphate ions, iron ions and sodium ions

Question 6

how is pH calculated?

Answer 6

• based on the concentration of hydrogen ions in the environment
• more H means lower pH

Question 7

Function of hydrogen ions

Answer 7

determining the pH of solutions and therefore the functioning of enzymes

Question 8

Function of iron ions

Answer 8

transport oxygen in haemoglobin

Question 9

what is haemoglobin?

Answer 9

large protein that carries oxygen around the body in red blood cells

Question 10

what is haemoglobin made up of?

Answer 10

4 different polypeptide chains, each with iron ion Fe2+ in the centre

Question 11

what does oxygen bind to in haemoglobin?

Answer 11

Fe2+

Question 12

what does Fe2+ temporarily become until oxygen is released?

Answer 12

Fe3+

Question 13

Function of sodium ions

Answer 13

transport of amino acids and glucose

Question 14

how do sodium ions help transport glucose and amino acids across cell membranes?

Answer 14

co-transport

Question 15

phosphate ions are essential components of what molecules?

Answer 15

ATP and DNA

Question 16

Function of phosphate ions

Answer 16

• structural role in DNA

- role in storing energy in ATP molecules