Water and Inorganic ions Flashcards
What is the benefit of water as a metabolite?
It can be used in metabolic reactions such as condensation and hydrolysis
What is the benefit of water as a solvent?
Many metabolic reactions can take place in it
What is the benefit of water having a high heat capacity?
It can act as a temperature buffer
What is the benefit of water having a large latent heat of vaporisation?
This is beneficial, especially in sweat, since as water evaporates it has a cooling effect; therefore little loss of water.
What is the benefit of cohesion in water molecules?
This supports columns of water in the tube-like transport cells of plants and produces surface tension where water meets air.
How do hydrogen ions affect pH?
Increase in the concentration of H+ decreases the pH
What is the role of iron ions in animals?
Found in the structure of haemoglobin and is involved in the transport of oxygen.
What is the role of sodium ions?
They are used in co-transport of glucose and amino acids in the membrane of the small intestine
What is the role of phosphate ions?
They are involved in structures such as ATP and DNA. When ATP is hydrolysed, they can be release to increase the rate of other reactions by phosphorylation.
