Ions in Biology

Question 1

State the anions and their uses:

Answer 1

Nitrate ions (NO3  -)
- necessary for nitrogen supply to plants for amino acid and protein formation

hydrogen carbonate ions (HCO3 -)
- necessary for maintenance of blood pH

Chloride ions (Cl-)
- necessary for balancing positive charge of sodium and potassium ions in cells

Phosphate ions (PO4 3-)

• necessary for cell membrane formation
• for nucleic acid and ATP formation
• for bone formation

Hydroxide ions (OH-)

Question 2

State the cations and their uses:

Answer 2

calcium ions (Ca 2+)

• necessary for nerve impulse transmission
• necessary for muscle contraction

sodium ions (Na+)

• necessary for nerve impulse transmission
• necessary for kidney function

Potassium ions (K+)

• necessary for nerve impulse transmission
• necessary for stomatal opening

Hydrogen ions (H+)

• necessary for catalysis of reactions
• necessary for pH determination

Ammonium ions (NH 4+)