Inorganic ions

Question 1

Calcium ions (Ca2+)

Answer 1

Required for the transmission of actions potentials, the formation of bone, release of insulin from the pancreas and as an enzyme cofactor

Question 2

Sodium ions (Na+)

Answer 2

Requires for the generation for action potentials, muscle contraction and for maintaining blood pressure

Question 3

Potassium ions (K+)

Answer 3

Required for the generation of action potentials, muscle contraction, maintaining blood pressure, and for activating photosynthesising enzymes in plants

Question 4

Hydrogen ions (H+)

Answer 4

important role in respiration and photosynthesis reactions and influences pH of a cell by increasing acidity

Question 5

Ammonium ions (NH4+)

Answer 5

an important part of the nitrogen cycle. It is absorbed by plants and incorporated into amino acids for protein synthesis

Question 6

Nitrate ions (NO3-)

Answer 6

an important part of the nitrogen cycle. It is absorbed by plants and incorporated into amino acids for protein synthesis

Question 7

Hydrogencarbonate ions (HCO3-)

Answer 7

maintains constant pH in the blood by acting as a buffer

Question 8

Chloride ions (Cl-)

Answer 8

maintains constant pH in the blood through the process of ‘chloride shift’ and acts as a cofactor for the enzyme amylase

Question 9

Phosphate (PO4^3-)

Answer 9

used to synthesise biological molecules such as nucleic acids and phospholipids and is added to enzyme sand other proteins to regulate their activity

Question 10

Hydroxide (OH-)

Answer 10

changes the pH of a cell by making the area more alkaline