inorganic ions

Question 1

What is an ion
what are the different types of ion?

Answer 1

An atom that has lost or gained an electron
Positive ion = Cation
Negative ion = Anion

Question 2

what is an inorganic ion

Answer 2

It is an Ion that doesn’t contain carbon

Question 3

What are the types of inorganic ions

Answer 3

Hydrogen ions (H+)
Iron ions (Fe2+/fe3+)
Sodium ions (Na+)
Phosphate ions (PO4 3-)
Calcium ions (Ca 2+)

Question 4

What are hydrogen ions and what are their roles in the body

Answer 4

• They are Protons
• Concentration of H+ in a solution determines the PH value
• There’s an inverse relationship between PH values and hydrogen ion concentrations
  . More H+ lower PH
  . Higher PH + less H

Changes in PH can effect the secondary and tertiary structure of an enzyme
Normal PH is 7.4

Question 5

What are the types of iron ions and what are the roles in the body

Answer 5

2 types of iron ions (oxidation states)
- Iron (Fe2+) known as ferrous ions
- Iron (Fe3+) known as ferric ions
. Haemoglobin is a large protein in RBC responsible for transporting oxygen. Haemoglobin has 4 polypeptide chains containing one (Fe2+) ion which will bind to oxygen
(When iron ions are bonded they temporarily become Fe3+)
. Myoglobin in muscle functions is similar but has 1 polypeptide chain containing Fe2+
. Iron ions are found in cytochromes (cytochrome C) used in respiration and photosynthesis

Question 6

What is the role of Sodium ions in the body (Na+)
explain one of the processes

Answer 6

• Required for transmission of nerve impulses
• Required for transportation of glucose and amino acids
  . co transport - Na+ is actively transported out of the epithelial cell that line villi into capillaries
• Concentration of Na+ is now lower in the epithelial cell than it is in the lumen of the small intestine
• Na+ re-enters through the cell from blood (down concentration gradient) via co transport proteins via facilitated diffusion allowing glucose and amino acids to enter along with them

Question 7

What do phosphate ions (PO-3/4) in the body

Answer 7

• Attaches to molecules to form phosphate groups
• Allows individual nucleotides of DNA and RNA to join (polynucleotides)
• Found in the head of the phospholipid bilayer (hydrophilic)
• used in/to produce ATP stores the energy
• Phosphorylates other compounds making them more reactive
  e.g. glucose at the start of respiration

Question 8

What do sodium ions do to the blood?

Answer 8

Lower blood water potential