Inorganic ions 3.1.8

Question 1

What are inorganic ions?

Answer 1

Inorganic ions are ions that do not contain carbon.

Question 2

What are 4 key examples of inorganic ions?

Answer 2

• Hydrogen
• Iron
• Phosphate
• Sodium

Question 3

What is the role of hydrogen ions?

Answer 3

• The concentration of hydrogen ions determines the pH.
• A higher concentration of H+ ions indicates a lower pH, hence more acidic.
• pH affects enzyme-controlled reactions.

Question 4

What is the role of iron ions?

Answer 4

• Haemoglobin contains Fe2+ which binds with oxygen to form Fe3+.
• This is important in transporting oxygen around the body in the blood.

Question 5

What is the role of sodium ions?

Answer 5

• Important for the co-transport across cell membranes.
• Also needed for nerve impulse transmission (such as depolarisation)

Question 6

What is the role of phosphate ions?

Answer 6

• Bonds between phosphate groups store energy in the form of ATP
• Phosphate groups allows DNA and RNA to join to form polynucleotides (phosphodiester bonds)
• Used in phospholipids.