Inorganic ions and properties of water

• metabolite - a molecule that takes part in a metabolic reaction
• water is a key metabolite as its often needed to start metabolic reactions ( condensation, hydrolysis )
• Water is polar, meaning that its a good polar solvent for many molecules
• Waters latent heat capacity:

  • most organisms require a specific temperature range in order for them to survive
  • water has a high latent heat capacity due to strong hydrogen bonds
  • water vaporisation can be used for cooling down (Sweating )
  • the organism can cool itself without losing too much water
• cohesion in water:

  • water molecules have strong cohesion due to strong hydrogen bonds
  • cohesion allows or water transport (transpiration)
  • cohesion produces surface tension where water meets air
• waters specific heat capacity:

  • water has a high specific heat capacity which means that it requires a lot of energy to raise its temperature, this causes water molecules to be stable
  • this is seen in the ocean where many aquatic animals can live in stable temperatures
• density and incompressibility in water:

  • maximum density of water is at 4 degrees
  • Ice is less dense than water due to its lattice shape
  • water is incompressible due to strong intermolecular bonds
• an inorganic ion is an ion that doesn't contain carbon
• Hydrogen ions:

  • the concentration of H+ in a solution determines the pH, more H+ ions = more acidic
  • the concentration of H+ is vital for the body as the pH is best kept stable
• Iron ions:

  • iron ions bind oxygen to the haemoglobin
  • iron ions are also involved in the transfer of electrons during respiration and photosynthesis
  • is used in cytochrome c
  • during electron transport process the iron ion switches between Fe2+ and Fe3+ allowing for electrons to be accepted and donated
• sodium ions:

  • used for the transport of glucose and amino acids across cell-surface membranes
  • required for the transmission of nerve impulses
• sodium ions:

  • used for the transport of glucose and amino acids across cell-surface membranes
  • required for the transmission of nerve impulses
• phosphate ions:

  • attaches to other molecules to form phosphate groups, which are essential for DNA, RNA and ATP
  • in DNA and RNA, phosphate groups allow individual nucleotides to join up
  • phosphates are also found in phospholipids
• calcium ions:

  • stimulates muscle contraction
  • in synapses calcium ions regulate transmission of impulses
  • can also regulate protein channels
  • helps form blood clots