inorganic ions

what are inorganic ions?

• molecules that do not contain carbon atoms

• they are charged atoms that play a major role in living organisms

what maintains the optimum levels of ions?

• cytoplasm and body fluids

hydrogen ions?

• hydrogen ions are protons

• pH values represent the concentration of H+ in a solution

• mitochondria accumulate H+ in the intermembrane space to allow aerobic respiration to take place

iron ions?

• haemoglobin is made up of 4 different polypeptide chains, each with an iron ion in the centre

• the iron is the one that binds to the oxygen in haemoglobin

• when the oxygen is bound, the Fe2+ ion temporarily becomes an Fe3+ ion, until oxygen is released

• iron ions are the central part of the haem group in haemoglobin, allowing red blood cells to transport O2 and CO2

sodium ions?

• transport of sodium ions across the cell membrane of cells in the intestine allows the co-transport of glucose and amino acids

phosphate ions?

• when a phosphate ion is attached to another molecule, it is known as a phosphate group

• phosphate ions are an essential part of the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA molecules

• ATP can form ADP and release a phosphate ion along with energy

  • ADP can also store energy by gaining a phosphate ion and taking in energy

• ATP is the universal energy currency of living organisms

• the phosphate groups in DNA and RNA allow nucleotides to join up to form the polynucleotides