Inorganic ions

• what does inorganic mean?

  a molecule or ion that has no more than 1 carbon atom
• what kinds of inorganic ions do living organisms need?

  a variety
• what are inorganic ions also called?

  electrolytes or minerals and are very important in many cellular processes
• what are some examples of cellular processes that need inorganic ions?

  • muscle contraction
  • nervous coordination
  • maintaining water potential in cells and plants
• what are the 2 groups of inorganic ions?

  • macronutrients - needed in small concentrations
  • micronutrients - needed in minute (trace) concentrations
• what are some examples of micronutrients?

  • copper
  • zinc
• what some examples of macronutrients?

  • magnesium
  • iron
  • phosphate ions
  • calcium
• what does magnesium do in living organisms?

  • its an important constituent of chlorophyll and is therefore essential for photosynthesis
  • plants without magnesium in their soil can’t make chlorophyll and so the leaves are yellow - a condition known as chlorosis
  • growth is often stunted from lack of glucose
  • mammals need magnesium for their bones
• what does iron do in organisms?

  • its a constituent of haemoglobin, which transports oxygen in red blood cells
  • lack of iron in the human diet can lead to anaemia
• what do phosphate ions do in organisms?

  • phosphate ions are used for making nucleotides, including ATP
  • they are constituents of phospholipids, found in biological membranes
• what does calcium do in organisms?

  • like phosphate, its an important structural component of bones and teeth in mammals
  • is a component of plant cell walls, providing strength