Inorganic Ions

Question 1

Cations

Answer 1

Calcium
Sodium
Potassium
Hydrogen
Ammonium

Question 2

Calcium Ca+2

Answer 2

Transmission of nerve impulses & release of insulin from pancreas
Cofactor for many enzymes
Important for bone formation

Question 3

Sodium Na+

Answer 3

Important for generating nerve impulses, muscle contraction & for regulating fluid balance in the body

Question 4

Potassium K+

Answer 4

Important for generating nerve impulses, muscle contraction & for regulating fluid balance in the body
Activates essential enzymes needed for photosynthesis in plants

Question 5

Hydrogen H+

Answer 5

Affects the pH of substances
Important for photosynthesis reactions that occurs in the thylakoid membranes inside chloroplasts
Respiration reactions that occur in the inner membrane of mitochondria

Question 6

Ammonium NH4+

Answer 6

Absorbed from the soil in plants
Important source of nitrogen

Question 7

Anions

Answer 7

Nitrate
Hydrocarbonate
Chloride
Phosphate
Hydroxide

Question 8

Nitrate NO3-

Answer 8

Absorbed from the soil by plants
Important source of nitrogen

Question 9

Hydrocarbonate HCO3-

Answer 9

Acts as a buffer- helps to maintain the pH of the blood

Question 10

Chloride Cl-

Answer 10

‘Chloride shift’- helps maintain the pH of the blood during gas exchange
Cofactor for the enzyme amylase
Involved in some nerve impulses

Question 11

Phosphate PO43-

Answer 11

Involved in photosynthesis & respiration reactions
Needed for the synthesis of many biological molecules

Question 12

Hydroxide OH-

Answer 12

Affects the pH of substances