inorganic ions and water Flashcards
1
Q
what is the function of Mg2+ ions?
A
- needed for synthesis of chlorophyll
- also for development of bones and teeth
- lack of: chlorosis
2
Q
what is the function of Fe2+ ions?
A
- constituent of haemoglobin, which allows oxygen to be carried in the blood
- lack of: anaemia
3
Q
what is the function of PO34- ions?
A
- needed for synthesis of DNA, RNA and nucleic acids
- constituent of phospholipids
4
Q
what is the function of Ca2+ ions?
A
- needed for development of bones and teeth
- also involved in synapses
5
Q
what is meant when water is said to be a ‘dipole’?
A
it is a molecule that has separate, oppositely charged ends
6
Q
hydrogen bonds…
A
- formed between delta + on H and delta - on O
- weak but strong in large numbers
- form a lattice that creates cohesion (allows water to be drawn up in continuous columns eg. in xylem vessels)
- allows high surface tension
7
Q
what is good about water being a dipole?
A
- it makes water a good solvent as it attracts other charged particles and dissolves
- allows cells to maintain concentration gradients
8
Q
what is water in terms of biochemical reactions?
A
- good metabolite
- used in reactions as a reactant or a product
- eg. with CO2 in photosynthesis and hydrolysis
- eg. in aerobic respiration and condensation reactions
9
Q
water has a high s…
A
- high specific heat capacity
- large amount of heat energy needed to raise 1kg of water by 1oC (hydrogen bonds restrict molecule movement)
- prevents large fluctuations in water temperature which creates a stable habitat
10
Q
water has a high…
A
- high latent heat of vaporisation
- a lot of heat energy needed to change its state
- helps with thermo/osmoregulation as heat is used up in order to vaporise water from sweat on skin/ leaf surface
11
Q
extra qualities helpful in water?
A
- transparent
- light can pass through, enables photosynthesis in aquatic plants
- water is denser than air
- provides support and buoyancy