inorganic ions

Question 1

Magnesium

Answer 1

• important part of chlorophyll, and therefore essential for photosynthesis.
• plants that don’t have magnesium, cannot make chlorophyll, and so the leaves are yellow, a condition known as chlorosis
• lack of glucose can often stunt growth,
• magnesium is necessary in mammals for their bones.

Question 2

Iron

Answer 2

• constituent of haemoglobin, which transports oxygen in red blood cells
• lack of iron in the human diet can lead to anaemia

Question 3

Phosphate ions

Answer 3

• used for making nucleotides, including ATP
• is a constituent of of phospholipids, which is found in biological membranes

Question 4

Calcium

Answer 4

• important structural component of bones and teeth in mammals
• provides strength in plant cell walls

Question 5

Inorganic ions

Answer 5

• can be called electrolytes
• important in many cellular processes e.g muscle contraction

Question 6

Two type of inorganic ions

Answer 6

• Macronutrients : needed in small concertation e.g calcium / iron
• Micronutrients : needed in minute concertation e.g copper / zinc