Ions

Question 1

What is calcium for?

Answer 1

In plants calcium pectate is an essential component of the middle lamella of plant cell walls. Calcium is an essential component of bones and teeth in animals, and is essential in blood clotting and muscle contraction.

Question 2

What is iron useful for?

Answer 2

Is part of the haem group in haemoglobin and an important constituent in electron carriers in respiration.

Question 3

What is magnesium useful for?

Answer 3

Is essential in giving chlorophyll its light absorbing properties.

Question 4

What is potassium useful for?

Answer 4

Is important in maintaining electrical gradients across neutrons.

Question 5

What are nitrates useful for?

Answer 5

Is a component of amino acids, Nucleic acids and chlorophyll.

Question 6

What are phosphates useful for?

Answer 6

As phospholipids, phosphate is an important component of cell membranes. It is also a major component of other important biological molecules including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nucleic acids.

Question 7

What is hydrogencarbonate useful for?

Answer 7

Is important as a natural buffer (pH).