Inorganic Ions

Question 1

Sodium

Answer 1

Na+
- Generating nerve impulses , muscle contraction,
- regulating body fluids balance in the body.

Question 2

Ammonium

Answer 2

NH4+
Absorbed from the soil by plants
contains nitrogen which is used to make proteins/nucleic acids

Question 3

Hydrogen

Answer 3

H+
- Affects the pH of a substance (if there’s more H+ than OH- it is an acid),
- Used for photosynthesis reaction in thylakoids membrane inside chloroplast
- used for respiration reaction in the inner membrane of the mitochondria.

Question 4

Calcium

Answer 4

Ca2+
- Transmission of nerve impulses
- Release of insulin from pancreas
- coFactor for enzymes, e.g. blood clotting
- Important for bone formation

Question 5

Potassium

Answer 5

K+
- Generates nerve impulses and Muscle contraction
- Regulates body fluid balance in the body
- Activates essential enzymes for photosynthesis in plant cells

Question 6

Hydrogen carbonate

Answer 6

HCO3-
Acts as a buffer to maintain the pH of the blood

Question 7

Chloride

Answer 7

Cl-
Chloride shift - maintains pH of the blood during gas exchange
acts as a cofactor for the enzyme amylase involved in some nerve impulses

Question 8

Nitrate

Answer 8

NO3-
Absorbed from the soil by plants
Is an important source of nitrogen which is used to make amino acids and nucleic acids

Question 9

Phosphate

Answer 9

PO4 3–
Involved in Photosynthesis and respiration reactions
Needed for synthesis of many biological molecules such as nucleotides (including ATP), Phospholipids and calcium phosphates (which strengthens bones)

Question 10

Hydroxide

Answer 10

OH-
Affects the PH of substances (more oh ions than H ions in the solution creates an alkali