Inorganic Ions

What is an inorganic ion?

An ion that doesn't contain carbon (with some exceptions).

What is a cation?

An ion with a positive charge.

What is an anion?

An ion with a negative charge.

Where do inorganic ions occur?

In solution in the cytoplasm and body fluids of organisms.

What are key inorganic ions?

Iron ions, hydrogen ions, sodium ions, phosphate ions.

What role do iron ions play in the body?

They are a component of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells.

It is the iron that binds to the oxygen in hemoglobin so it is an important component

How is pH calculated?

Based on the concentration of hydrogen ions in the environment.

What effect do hydrogen ions have on pH?

The more H+ present, the lower the pH and the more acidic the environment.

Enzyme-controlled reactions are all affected by pH

What is the role of sodium ions?

Important in the co-transport of both glucose and amino acids.

What is a phosphate group?

A phosphate ion attached to another molecule.

What do DNA, RNA, and ATP contain?

Phosphate groups.

What stores energy in ATP?

The bonds between phosphate groups.

What do phosphate groups in DNA and RNA allow?

Nucleotides to join up to form polynucleotides.