Biological Molecules - Inorganic Ions (2.1.2)

Question 1

What type of ion is Potassium and what is its chemical symbol?

Answer 1

Cation / K+

Question 2

Provide three examples of the biological processes that sodium and potassium are involved in.

Answer 2

1) Generating nerve impulses
2) Muscle contraction
3) Regulating fluid balance in the body

Question 3

What is the chemical symbol for calcium?

Answer 3

Ca2+

Question 4

Q1) What two ions affect the pH of substances?

Q2) Explain why.

Answer 4

A1) Hydrogen and Hydroxide

A2) More H+ than OH- ions creates an acid.
More OH- than H+ ions creates an alkali.

Question 5

What is nitrogen used for in plants?

Answer 5

To make amino acids and nucleic acids.

Question 6

What is the chemical symbol for ammonium?

Answer 6

NH4+

Question 7

What is the chemical symbol for nitrate

Answer 7

NO3-

Question 8

What ion is HCO3- ?

Answer 8

Hydrogencarbonate

Question 9

What is the chemical symbol for chloride?

Answer 9

Cl-

Question 10

Apart from being a cofactor for amylase, what other biological processes is chloride involved in?

Answer 10

Chloride shift helps maintain the pH of the blood during gas exchange.

Involved in some nerve impulses.

Question 11

What is the chemical symbol for phosphate?

Answer 11

PO43-

Question 12

What two important processes are phosphate involved in?

Answer 12

Photosynthesis and respiration reactions.

Synthesis of many biological molecules, such as nucleotides, phospholipids and calcium phosphate.

Question 13

Name 5 cations.

Answer 13

Calcium
Sodium
Potassium
Hydrogen
Ammonium

Question 14

Name 5 anions.

Answer 14

Nitrate
Hydrogencarbonate
Phosphate
Hydroxide
Chloride