Inorganic Ions

• Inorganic

  Does not contain ions
• Where do inorganic ions occur?

  In solution in the cytoplasm and in body fluids
• Hydrogen ions

  • Concentration determines pH
  • High concentration= more acidic environment
  • pH affects enzyme-controlled reactions
• Iron ions

  • Haemoglobin contains Fe2+ at its centre which binds to O2, to temporarily become Fe3+
  • Important in transporting oxygen around the body in the bloodstream
• Sodium ions

  • Co-transport across cell membranes (e.g. sodium-glucose co-transported protein)
  • Active transport (e.g. sodium-potassium pump)
  • Needed for nerve impulse transmission
• Phosphate ions

  • Bonds between phosphate groups store energy in ATP
  • Allow DNA and RNA nucleotides to join to form polynucleotides
  • Phospholipids- hydrophilic phosphate head