Inorganic Ions
Inorganic ions are essential for the functioning of living organisms. Ions required in large amounts are macronutrients or main elements, whereas ions required in small amounts are micronutrients or trace elements. A lack of a particular ion results in a deficiency symptoms in plants or animals. Essential ions include both cations (positive ions) and anions (negative ions).
Chloride ions (Cl⁻):
Role in the regulation of water balance, blood volume, blood pressure and blood pH. Role in the reabsorption of water in the kidneys.
Role in the transport of carbon dioxide in plasma (chloride shift).
Cofactor required by some enzymes e.g. amylase.
Production of hydrochloric acid to lower pH in stomach.
Role in the inhibitory effect of some neurotransmitters.
Hydroxide ions (OH⁻):
Role in the regulation of blood pH.
Disrupts hydrogen and ionic bonds that maintain the structure of proteins.
Nitrate ions (NO₃⁻):
Role in the nitrogen cycle.
Source of nitrogen to synthesise amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, nucleic acids, vitamins and chlorophyll.
Hydrogen carbonate ions (HCO₃⁻):
Role in the regulation of blood pH.
Role in the transport of carbon dioxide in plasma.
Phosphate ions (PO₄³⁻):
Component of nucleotides in ATP, RNA and DNA.
Needed to synthesise phospholipids for membranes.
Needed for healthy teeth and bones.
Role in the chemical activation of molecules and regulation of enzyme activity.
Calcium ions (Ca²⁺):
Component of insect exoskeleton, as well as bones, teeth and cartilage in mammals.
Secondary messenger inside cell - alters enzyme activity, triggers muscle contraction, triggers release of neurotransmitter.
Cofactor for certain enzymes e.g. blood clotting.
Important for cell wall development and formation of middle lamella between plant cells.
Sodium ions (Na⁺):
Role in the transmission of nerve impulses.
Role in the regulation of water balance, blood volume, blood pressure and blood pH.
Role in the reabsorption of water/glucose/amino acids in the kidneys.
Role in the turgidity of plants cells.
Potassium ions (K⁺):
Role in the transmission of nerve impulses.
Role in the regulation of water balance, blood volume, blood pressure and blood pH.
Role in the turgidity of plant cells.
Role in the opening of stomata in plants.
Hydrogen ions (H⁺):
Proton gradients are important in ATP formation in respiration and photosynthesis.
Role in the regulation of blood pH.
Disrupts hydrogen and ionic bonds that maintain the structure of proteins.
Role in the transport of carbon dioxide in the blood.
Loading of sucrose into phloem sieve tubes.
Ammonium ions (NH₄⁺):
Role in the nitrogen cycle.
Source of nitrogen to synthesise amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, nucleic acids, vitamins and chlorophyll.
Involved in maintenance of pH in human body.
Inorganic ions are essential for the functioning of living organisms. Ions required in large amounts are macronutrients or main elements, whereas ions required in small amounts are micronutrients or trace elements. A lack of a particular ion results in a deficiency symptoms in plants or animals. Essential ions include both cations (positive ions) and anions (negative ions).
Chloride ions (Cl⁻):
Role in the regulation of water balance, blood volume, blood pressure and blood pH. Role in the reabsorption of water in the kidneys.
Role in the transport of carbon dioxide in plasma (chloride shift).
Cofactor required by some enzymes e.g. amylase.
Production of hydrochloric acid to lower pH in stomach.
Role in the inhibitory effect of some neurotransmitters.
Hydroxide ions (OH⁻):
Role in the regulation of blood pH.
Disrupts hydrogen and ionic bonds that maintain the structure of proteins.
Nitrate ions (NO₃⁻):
Role in the nitrogen cycle.
Source of nitrogen to synthesise amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, nucleic acids, vitamins and chlorophyll.
Hydrogen carbonate ions (HCO₃⁻):
Role in the regulation of blood pH.
Role in the transport of carbon dioxide in plasma.
Phosphate ions (PO₄³⁻):
Component of nucleotides in ATP, RNA and DNA.
Needed to synthesise phospholipids for membranes.
Needed for healthy teeth and bones.
Role in the chemical activation of molecules and regulation of enzyme activity.
Calcium ions (Ca²⁺):
Component of insect exoskeleton, as well as bones, teeth and cartilage in mammals.
Secondary messenger inside cell - alters enzyme activity, triggers muscle contraction, triggers release of neurotransmitter.
Cofactor for certain enzymes e.g. blood clotting.
Important for cell wall development and formation of middle lamella between plant cells.
Sodium ions (Na⁺):
Role in the transmission of nerve impulses.
Role in the regulation of water balance, blood volume, blood pressure and blood pH.
Role in the reabsorption of water/glucose/amino acids in the kidneys.
Role in the turgidity of plants cells.
Potassium ions (K⁺):
Role in the transmission of nerve impulses.
Role in the regulation of water balance, blood volume, blood pressure and blood pH.
Role in the turgidity of plant cells.
Role in the opening of stomata in plants.
Hydrogen ions (H⁺):
Proton gradients are important in ATP formation in respiration and photosynthesis.
Role in the regulation of blood pH.
Disrupts hydrogen and ionic bonds that maintain the structure of proteins.
Role in the transport of carbon dioxide in the blood.
Loading of sucrose into phloem sieve tubes.
Ammonium ions (NH₄⁺):
Role in the nitrogen cycle.
Source of nitrogen to synthesise amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, nucleic acids, vitamins and chlorophyll.
Involved in maintenance of pH in human body.
