Inorganic compounds

Question 1

Most abundant and important inorganic compound in living
material
* Characteristics:
* High heat capacity – prevent sudden changes in temperature
* High heat of vaporization – large amounts of heat are
removed through sweat
* Universal solvent – polar solvent properties that allows ion
separation from compounds to form solutions
* Hydration layers shield proteins to form biological colloids
* Body’s major transport medium
* Participates in many chemical reactions in the body’s
metabolism
* Cushioning

Answer 1

Water

Question 2

Ionic compound containing cations other
than H+ and anions other than the hydroxyl
ions (OH-)
* All ions are electrolytes, substances that
conduct an electrical current in solution
* Polyatomic ions – groups of atoms that bear an
overall charge)
* Common salts in the body include: NaCl,
CaCO3, KCl

Answer 2

Salt