1.8 inorganic ions

• what are inorganic ions?

  Inorganic ions are charged particles that do not contain carbon and are gained through nutrition.
• name some types of inorganic ions?

  hydrogen ions, iron ions, sodium ions and phosphate ions.
• hydrogen ions:

  • protons
  • pH values represent the concentration of Hydrogen ions in a solution
  • mitochondria accumulate hydrogen ions in the intermembrane space to allow aerobic respiration to occur.
• iron ions:

  • Fe2+ is the symbol for iron ions
  • central part of the haem group in haemoglobin, allowing red blood cells to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide
• 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
  • essential part of the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA
  • ATP can form ADP and release a phosphate ions along with energy
  • ADP can store energy by gaining a phosphate ion and taking in energy
  • ATP is the universal energy currency of living organisms
• cytoplasm and body fluids maintain optimum levels of each ion, depending on the cells function, this means some ions are found in high concentrations, while others would be toxic if concentration were allowed to increase.