inorganic ions Flashcards
what are inorganic ions
ions that don’t normally contain carbon and are important to biological processes
what are cation
positive ions
give example of cation
calcium (Ca2+)
hydrogen (H+)
potassium (K+)
sodium (Na+)
ammonium (NH4+)
what are calcium cations important for
transmission of nerve impulses
release of insulin from the pancreas
cofactor for many enzymes e.g. those involves in bone formation and blood clotting
what are hydrogen cations important for
affects the pH of substances
photosynthesis reactions in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts
respiration reactions in the inner membrane of mitochondria
what are potassium cations important for
generating nerve impulses
muscle contractions
regulating fluid balance in the body
activating essential enzymes needed for photosynthesis in plant cells
what are sodium cations important for
generating nerve impulses
muscles contactions
regulating fluid balance in the body
what are ammonium cations important for
absorbed from the soil by plants and a source of nitrogen which is used to make amino acids, nucleic acids
what are anions
negatively charged ions
give 5 examples of anions
chloride (Cl-)
hydrogencarbonate (HCO3 -)
nitrate (NO3 -)
hydroxide (OH-)
phosphate (PO4 3-)
what are chloride anions important for
chlorine shift - maintaining the pH of blood during the gas exchange
cofactor for amylase
involved in some nerve impulses
what are hydrogencarbonate anions important for
acts as a buffer to maintain the pH of blood
with the carbonic anhydrase enzyme CO2 is transported as hydrogencarbonate ions in plasma
what are nitrate anions important for
absorbed from the soil by plants as a source of nitrogen
used to make amino acids, nucleic acids
what are hydroxide anions important for
affects the pH of substances
what are phosphate anions important for
involved in photosynthesis and respiration reactions
needed for the synthesis of biological molecules e.g. nucleotides, phospholipids, and calcium phosphate
