Inorganic Ions

Question 1

What are inorganic ions?

Answer 1

Charged atoms (ions) which don’t contain carbon. These can occur in solution, in the cytoplasm of cells and in the body fluids of organisms. Each ion has a specific role which determines whether it is found in high or low concentrations

Question 2

Iron ions

Answer 2

• Fe^2+, Fe^3+
• Fe^2+ in centre of haemoglobin (quaternary protein) binds to oxygen
• Becomes Fe^3+ when oxygen is bound

Question 3

Hydrogen ions

Answer 3

• H+
• pH is a measure of concentration of H+ in solution
• Very reactive

Question 4

Sodium ions

Answer 4

• Na+
• Co-transport across membrane with glucose

Question 5

Phosphate ions

Answer 5

• PO4^3-
• Bonds between phosphate groups store energy in ATP
• Condensation reactions DNA and RNA phosphate groups, forming polynucleotide