Inorganic Ions
Biology: AQA A Level, topic 1.8.1
Inorganic Ions
Inorganic ions are molecules that do NOT contain carbon atoms. They are charged atoms that play a major role in living organisms.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Inorganic Ions
Which of the following statements about inorganic ions are true?
Where do mitochondria accumulate H+ ions?