Inorganic ions

• Hydrogen ions (H+)

  • the concentration of H+ ions in a solution determines the pH
  • more H+ = lower the pH
• Sodium ions (Na+):

  • help transport glucose and amino acids across cell membranes
  • involved in nerve impulses
  • involved in co-transport
• Iron ions (Fe2+/Fe3-):

  • bind to oxygen
  • haemoglobin is made up of four polypeptide chains that contain one Fe2+
• Phosphate ions (Po4 3+):

  • phosphate groups allow nucleotides to join
  • bonds between phosphate groups store energy