Inorganic ions

Question 1

What is a cation

Answer 1

A positively charged ion- K+, Ca2+, Mg2+

Question 2

What is an anion

Answer 2

A negatively charged ion- HCO3-, NO3-

Question 3

What is Potassium used for

Answer 3

Ions-
-transmission of nerve impulses across neurones
-maintain osmotic anion/ cation balance across cell membranes

Compounds
-N/A

Question 4

Calcium

Answer 4

Ions
-Constituent of bones, teeth (enamel) and shells
-blood clotting
-muscle contraction

Compounds
-calcium pectate binds adjacent cell walls in plants to form the middle lamella

Question 5

Magnesium

Answer 5

Ions
-activates many of the body’s enzymes
-component of bones and teeth

Compound
-Constituent of chlorophyll (absorb light energy)

Question 6

Iron

Answer 6

Ion
-found in electron carriers- cytochromes used in respiration and photosynthesis

Compounds
-Constituent of haemoglobin- forms in the Haem group (transports oxygen in the blood)

Question 7

Hydrogen Carbonate

Answer 7

Ion
-Behaves as a buffer

Compound
-Involved in the transport of CO2 in the blood

Question 8

Nitrate

Answer 8

Ion
-N/A

Compound
Constituents of
-Amino acids and Proteins, eg enzymes
-Nucleic acids- part of the nitrogenous base adenine
-Chlorophyll

Question 9

Phosphate

Answer 9

Ion
-Phosphate salts, eg sodium and potassium phosphates act as buffers

Compound
-Cell membranes as phospholipids
-ATP
-In nucleotides of DNA and RNA

Question 10

Explain a Buffer

Answer 10

A compound that resisits PH change and ensures a particular environment maintains a particular PH- eg blood- neutral
-cells and tissues function as neutral PH- can’t tolerate significant change- body PH needs to be kept constant