1.8 inorganic ions Flashcards
define ion
an atom or molecule with an electric charge due to loosing or gaining an electron
what is an inorganic ion
an ion not containing carbon
how is iron used in the body
haemoglobin is made of four polypeptide chains, each with iron in the centre. it is the iron that binds to the oxygen in the haemoglobin.
how is hydrogen used in the body
pH is calculated based on the concentration of hydrogen ions, the more H+ ions the lower the pH and more acidic, this affects enzyme controlled reactions
how is sodium used in the body
a molecule of glucose or amino acids need the help of sodium to be transported into the cell , this is know as co-transport
how is phosphate used in the body
when a phosphate ion is attached to another molecule it is known a a phosphate group. DNA, RNA and ATP all contain phosphate groups, it is the bonds between the phosphate groups that store energy in ATP and in DNA and RNA the phosphate group allows it to join nucleotides together forming poly nucleotides.
