Inorganic Ions

Question 1

What are the different inorganic ions

Answer 1

Calcium - Ca 2+
Phosphate - PO4 3-
Potassium - K+
Chloride - Cl-
Hydrogen carbonate - HCO3 -
Sodium - Na+
Hydrogen - H+
Hydroxide - OH-
Nitrate - NO3 -

Question 2

What is the importance of Ca2+

Answer 2

Increases rigidity of bone, teeth and cartilage and is a component of the exoskeleton of crustaceans
Important in clotting
Activator for several enzymes
Stimulates muscle contraction
Regulates permeability of cell membranes
Important for cell development in plants

Question 3

Importance of Na+ ions

Answer 3

Involved in regulation of osmotic pressure, control of water levels in body fluid and maintenance of PH.
Affects absorption of carbohydrate in the intestine and water in the kidney
Contributes to nervous transmission and muscle contraction
Constituent of vacuole in plants which helps to maintain turgidity

Question 4

Importance of K+ ions

Answer 4

Involved in control of water levels in body fluid and maintenance of PH
Assists active transport of materials across the cell membranes
Involved in synthesis of glycogen and protein and breakdown of glucose
Contributes to nervous transmission and muscle contraction
Component of vacuole in plants, helping to maintain turgidity

Question 5

Importance of H+ ions

Answer 5

Involved in photosynthesis and respiration
Involved in transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood
Involved in regulation of blood PH

Question 6

Importance of ammonium ions

Answer 6

A component of amino acids, proteins, vitamins and chlorophyll
Some hormones are made of proteins
An essential component of nucleic acids
A component of the nitrogen cycle

Question 7

Importance of HCO3 -

Answer 7

Involved in regulation of blood PH
Involved in transport of CO2 into and out of the blood

Question 8

Importance of OH-

Answer 8

Involved in regulation of blood PH

Question 9

Importance of CL-

Answer 9

Helps in production of urine in the kidney and maintaining water balance
Involved in transport of CO2 into and out of the blood
Regulates affinity of haemoglobin to oxygen
Involved in regulation of blood PH
Used to produce HCL in the stomach

Question 10

Importance of PO4 3-

Answer 10

Increases rigidity of bone, teeth and cartilage and is a component of the exoskeleton of crustaceans
Component of phospholipids, ATP, nucleic acids and many important enzymes
Involved in regulation of blood PH
Helps root growth in plants which