3.1.8 Inorganic Ions

• Inorganic ions are found in the cytoplasm and body fluids, some in high conc. and others in very low conc.
• Hydrogen ions (H+)

  • Maintain pH levels in the body -> high conc. = acidic/ low pH.
  • Affects enzyme rate of reaction as can cause enzymes to denature
• Iron Ions (Fe2^+)

  • Component of haem group of haemoglobin
  • Allowing oxygen to bind and associate for transport as oxyhaemoglobin
• Sodium ion (Na^+)

  • Involved in co-transport of glucose and amino acids into cells
  • Involved in action potentials in neurons
  • Affects water potential of cells and osmosis
• Phosphate ions (PO4^3-)

  • Component of nucleotides, allowing phosphiester bonds to form in DNA and RNA
  • Component of ATP, allowing energy release
  • Phophorylates other compounds making them more reactive
  • Hydrophilllic part of phosphoipids, allowing a bilayer to form