Salts

What is a salt composed of?

An ionic combination of anions and cations.

What is the cation in table salt (NaCl)?

Na+ (sodium ion).

What happens to salts when placed in water?

The ions dissociate.

What is the anion in table salt (NaCl)?

Cl- (chloride ion).

Name one function of cations and anions in the human body.

Exciting muscles and neurons.

How many common ions are found in the human body?

Five (four cations and one anion).

What are the four common cations in the human body?

Na+, K+, Ca++, and Mg++.

Which is the only common anion in the human body?

Cl- (chloride ion).

What educational courses might cover these concepts about ions?

BIO 141 and 142.

What process refers to the separation of ions in solution?

Dissociation.