Inorganic Ions

• What is an inorganic ion?


  It doesn't contain carbon and occur in solutions in cytoplasm and body fluids either in high or low concentrations
• Eash type of ion has a specific role depending on its properties
• • Hydrogen ions (H+)
  • Iron ions (Fe2+/Fe3+)
  • Sodium ions (Na+)
  • Phosphate ions (PO43-)
  • Calcium ions (Ca2+)
• Hydrogen ions

  • Hydrogen ions are protons
  • The concentration  H+ of in a solution determines the pH
  • There is an inverse relationship between the pH value and the hydrogen ion concentration
  • The more  H+ ions present, the lower the pH(the more acidic the solution)
  • The fewer  H+ ions present, the higher the p H(the more alkaline the solution)
  • The concentration of H+ is therefore very important for enzyme controlled reactions which are all affected by pH
• Iron ions

  • Haemoglobin is the large protein in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen around the body
  • Haemoglobin is made up of four polypeptide chains that each contain one Fe2+ 
  • This Fe2+ is a key component in haemoglobin as it binds to the oxygen
• Sodium ions


  Na+ is required for the transport of glucose and amino acids across cell-surface membranes (e.g. in the small intestine) in the process of co-transport
• Phosphate ions

  • PO43- attaches to other molecules to form phosphate groups, which are an essential component of DNA, RNA and ATP
  • In DNA and RNA, the phosphate groups allow individual nucleotides to join up (to form polynucleotides)
  • In ATP, the bonds between phosphate groups store energy
  • These phosphate groups can be easily attached or detached
  • When the bonds between phosphate groups are broken, they release a large amount of energy, which can be used for cellular processes