inorganic ions

Question 1

What are inorganic ions and where are they found?

Answer 1

• an inorganic ion is an ion that does not contain carbon
• inorganic ions occur in solution in the cytoplasm and body fluids of organisms
  > some may occur in high concentrations, others in lower
  > each type of inorganic ion has a specific role dependant on its properties.
• some inorganic ions act as cofactors (non-protein chemical compounds that are required for a protein to function)

Question 2

what are all the cations and their formula?

Answer 2

cations (positive charges)
- hydrogen ions (H+)
- calcium ions (Ca2+)
- iron ions (Fe2+, Fe3+)
- sodium ions (Na+)
- potassium ions (K+)
- ammonium ions (NHv4+)

Question 3

what are all the anions and their charges?

Answer 3

anions (negative charges)
- nitrate ions (NOv3 -)
- hydrogen carbonate ions ( HCOv3 -)
- chloride ions (Cl-)
- phosphate ions (POv4 3-)
- hydroxide ions (OH-)

Question 4

what is the role of hydrogen ions?

Answer 4

hydrogen ions:
- are protons
- concentration of H+ in a solution will determine the ph
- concentrations of H+ ions is therefore very important for enzyme-controlled reactions, which get affected by pH.
- **catalysis* of reactions

Question 5

what is the role of calcium ions?

Answer 5

Calcium ions:
- essential in the movement of organisms.
> in synapses- Ca ions regulate the transmission of impulses from neurone to neurone.
- stimulates muscle contraction

Question 6

What is the role of iron ions?

Answer 6

Iron ions:
- essential to bind oxygen
> haemoglobin is made up of 4 polypeptide chains that each contain one Fe2+
> the Fe2+ is the key compoent that binds to oxygen
> myoglobin is similar, but in muscles. It is made of 1 polypeptide chain and contains one Fe2+ ion.
- involved in the transfer of electrons during respiration and photosynthesis.

Question 7

what is the role of sodium ions?

Answer 7

Sodium ions:
- Na is required for the transport of glucose and amino acids across cell surface membranes.
> glucose and amino acids can only enter cells alongside Na+.
> this is known is co-transport.
- Na is also required for the transmission of nerve impulses.
- kidney function

Question 8

what is the role of potassium ions?

Answer 8

Potassium ions:
- nerve transmission
- re- absorption of water in the kidneys.
- guard cells- opening of the stomata

Question 9

what is the role of ammonium ions?

Answer 9

ammonium ions:
- production of nitrate ions by bacteria

Question 10

what is the role of nitrate ions?

Answer 10

Nitrate ions:
- nitrogen supply to plants for amino acid and protein formation

Question 11

what is the role of hydrogen carbonate ions?

Answer 11

hydrogen carbonate ions:
- maintenence of blood pH.

Question 12

what is the role of chloride ions?

Answer 12

Chloride ions:
- balance positive charge of sodium and potassium ions in cells

Question 13

what is the role of phosphate ions?

Answer 13

phosphate ions:
- cell membrane formation
- nucleic acid and ATP formation
- bone formation

Question 14

what is the role of hydroxide ions?

Answer 14

Hydroxide ions:
- catalysis of reactions
- ph determination