Ions and their uses in the Body

Calcium (Ca²+)

• bone formation

• involved in nerve impulses

• regulating fluid balance

Sodium (Na+)

• generating nerve impulses

• muscle contraction

• regulating fluid balance

Potassium (K+)

• generating nerve impulses for muscle contraction

• needed for photosynthesis

Hydrogen (H+)

• affects the pH of substances

• important for photosynthesis

Ammonium (NH4+)

• important source of nitrogen which is used to make amino acids

Nitrate (NO3-)

important source of nitrogen

Hydrogen carbonate (HCO3-)

acts as a buffer, maintaining the pH of blood

Chloride (Cl-)

maintains the pH of blood during gas exchange

Phosphate (PO4³-)

• involved in photosynthesis and respiration

• synthesis of nucleotides

Hydroxide (OH-)

Affects the pH of a substance