1.8.1

Inorganic Ions

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Inorganic Ions

Inorganic ions are molecules that do NOT contain carbon atoms. They are charged atoms that play a major role in living organisms.

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Ions in living organisms

  • Ions are gained through nutrition.
  • Cytoplasm and body fluids maintain optimum levels of each ion, depending on the function of the cell.
  • This means that some ions are found in high concentrations, while others would be toxic if concentrations were allowed to increase.
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Hydrogen ions

  • H+ is the symbol for 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.
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Iron ions

  • Fe2+ is the symbol for iron ions.
  • Iron ions are the central part of the haem group in haemoglobin, allowing red blood cells to transport O2 and CO2.
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Sodium ions

  • Na+ is the symbol for sodium ions.
  • Transport of sodium ions across the cell membrane of cells in the intestine allows the co-transport of glucose and amino acids.
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Phosphate ions

  • PO43- is the symbol for phosphate ions.
  • Phosphate ions are an essential part of the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA molecules.
  • Adenosine triphosphate (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.

Jump to other topics

1Biological Molecules

2Cells

3Substance Exchange

4Genetic Information & Variation

5Energy Transfers (A2 only)

6Responding to Change (A2 only)

7Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)

8The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)

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