Inorganic ions

Question 1

What is an ion?

Answer 1

An ion is an atom (or group of atoms) that has an electric charge.

Question 2

What is Cation?

Answer 2

An ion which has a positive charge is called a cation

Question 3

What is an Anion?

Answer 3

An ion which has a negative charge is called an anion

Question 4

What is an inorganic ion?

Answer 4

An inorganic ion is one which doesn’t contain carbon

Question 5

Inorganic ions are important for _____

Answer 5

biological processes

Question 6

what are the biological processes of Calcium?

cation) (Ca+2

Answer 6

Involved in the transmission of NERVE IMPULSES and release of INSULIN from the pancreas.

Acts as a COFACTORS for many ENZYMES, e.g. those involved in blood clotting

Is important for BONE FORMATION

Question 7

What are the biological processes of Sodium?

cation) (Na+

Answer 7

Important for NERVE IMPULSES

For MUSCLE CONTRACTION

For REGULATING FLUID BALANCE in the body

Question 8

What are the biological processes of potassium?

cation) (K+

Answer 8

Important for generating NERVE IMPULSES

For MUSCLE CONTRACTION

Regulating FLUID BALANCE in the body

Activates essential ENZYMES needed for PHOTOSYNTHESIS in plant cells.

Question 9

What are the biological processes of Hydrogen?

cation) (H+

Answer 9

Affects the pH of substances (more H plus ions than OH minus ions in a solution creates an acid).

Also important for PHOTOSYNTHESIS REACTIONS that occur in the thylakoid membrane inside the chloroplast

Question 10

What are the biological processes of Ammonium?

cation) (NH4+

Answer 10

Absorbed from the SOIL by PLANTS and is an important source of nitrogen.
(which is then used to make, e.g. Amino acids and nucleic acids)

Question 11

What are the biological processes of Nitrate?

Anion) (NO3-

Answer 11

Absorbed from the SOIL by PLANTS and is an important source of NITROGEN.
(which is then used to make .e.g. Amino acids and nucleic acids)

Question 12

What are the biological processes of Hydrogencarbonate?

Anion) (HCO3-

Answer 12

Acts as a BUFFER, which helps to maintain pH of the blood.

Question 13

What are the biological processes of Chloride?

Anion) (Cl-

Answer 13

Involved in the ‘CHLORIDE SHIFT’ which helps to maintain the pH of the blood during GAS EXCHANGE.

Acts as a COFACTOR for the enzyme AMYLASE.

Also involved in some NERVE IMPULSES.

Question 14

What are the biological processes of Phosphate?

Anion) (PO4^3-

Answer 14

Involved in PHOTOSYNTHESIS and RESPIRATION reactions.

Needed for the synthesis of many biological molecules, such as NUCLEOTIDES (including ATP), PHOSPHOLIPIDS, and CALCIUM PHOSPHATE (which strengthen bones)

Question 15

What are the biological processes of Hydroxide

Anion) (OH-

Answer 15

Affects the pH of a substance (more OH- ions than H+ in a solution creates an ALKALI)

Question 16

What is the difference between a Cation and Anion?

Answer 16

A cation is a POSITIVELY CHARGED ION and an Anion is a NEGATIVELY CHARGED ION.

Question 17

Write the chemical symbols for the following ions: Calcium, Ammonium, Nitrate, Phosphate, Hydroxide

Answer 17

Ca+, NH4+, NO3-, PO4^3-, OH-

Question 18

Carbonic acid (H2CO3) is a weak acid present in the blood.
A reaction with water causes hydrogen ion to dissociate from the carbonic acid molecule.
Name the Anion formed in this reaction and write thew chemical symbol.

Answer 18

Hydrogen carbonate HCO3-