Module 2.2 - Biological Molecules Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the inorganic cations involved in biological processes?

A
  • Calcium, Ca2+
  • Sodium, Na+
  • Potassium, K+
  • Hydrogen, H+
  • Ammonium, NH4+
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2
Q

What are the inorganic anions involved in biological processes?

A
  • Nitrate, NO3-
  • Hydrogencarbonate, HCO3-
  • Chloride, Cl-
  • Phosphate, PO4 3-
  • Hydroxide, OH-
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3
Q

How are calcium ions, Ca2+, used in biological processes?

A
  • Increases rigidity of bone, teeth + cartilage + is a component of the exoskeleton of crustaceans
  • Important in clotting blood + muscle contraction
  • Activator for several enzymes e.g. lipase, ATPase, cholinesterase
  • Stimulates muscle contraction + regulates transmission of nerve impulses
  • Regulates permeability of cell membranes
  • Important for cell wall development in plants, + formation of middle lamella between cell walls
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4
Q

How are sodium ions, Na+, used in biological processes?

A
  • Involved in regulation of oncotic pressure, control of water levels in body fluid + maintenance of pH
  • Affects absorption of carbohydrate in the intestine + water in the kidney
  • Contributes to nervous transmission + muscle contraction
  • Constituent of vacuole in plants which helps maintain turgidity
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5
Q

How are potassium ions, K+, used in biological processes?

A
  • Involved in control of water levels in body fluid + maintenance of pH
  • Assists active transport of materials across the cell membrane
  • Involved in synthesis of glycogen + protein + breakdown of glucose
  • Generates healthy leaves + flowers in flowering plants
  • Contributes to nervous transmission + muscle contraction
  • Component in vacuoles in plants, helping maintain turgidity
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6
Q

How are hydrogen ions, H+, used in biological processes?

A
  • Involved in photosynthesis + respiration
  • Involved in transport of O2 + CO2 in the blood
  • Involved in regulation of blood pH
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7
Q

How are ammonium ions, NH4+, used in biological processes?

A
  • A component of amino acids, proteins, vitamins + chlorophyll
  • Some hormones are made of proteins e.g. insulin
  • An essential component of nucleic acids
  • Involved in maintenance of pH in the human body
  • A component of the nitrogen cycle
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8
Q

How are nitrate ions, NO3-, used in biological processes?

A
  • A component of amino acids, proteins, vitamins + chlorophyll
  • An essential component of nucleic acids
  • Some hormones are made of proteins, which contain nitrogen e.g. insulin
  • A component of the nitrogen cycle
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9
Q

How are hydrogencarbonate ions, HCO3-, used in biological processes?

A
  • Involved in regulation of blood pH

- Involved in transport of CO2 into + out of the blood

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10
Q

How are chloride ions, Cl-, used in biological processes?

A
  • Helps production of urine in the kidney + maintaining water balance
  • Involved in transport of CO2 in + out of the blood
  • Regulates Hb’s affinity for O2 rough allosteric effects on Hb molecule
  • Involved in regulation of blood pH
  • Used to produce HCl in the stomach
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11
Q

How are phosphate ions, PO4 3-, used in biological processes?

A
  • Increases rigidity of bone, teeth + cartilage + is a component of exoskeleton of crustaceans
  • Component of phospholipids, ATP, nucleus acids + several important enzymes
  • Involved in regulation of blood pH
  • Helps root growth in plants
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12
Q

How are hydroxide ions, OH-, used in biological processes?

A

-Involved in regulation of blood pH

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