Module 2.2 - Biological Molecules Flashcards
What are the inorganic cations involved in biological processes?
- Calcium, Ca2+
- Sodium, Na+
- Potassium, K+
- Hydrogen, H+
- Ammonium, NH4+
What are the inorganic anions involved in biological processes?
- Nitrate, NO3-
- Hydrogencarbonate, HCO3-
- Chloride, Cl-
- Phosphate, PO4 3-
- Hydroxide, OH-
How are calcium ions, Ca2+, used in biological processes?
- Increases rigidity of bone, teeth + cartilage + is a component of the exoskeleton of crustaceans
- Important in clotting blood + muscle contraction
- Activator for several enzymes e.g. lipase, ATPase, cholinesterase
- Stimulates muscle contraction + regulates transmission of nerve impulses
- Regulates permeability of cell membranes
- Important for cell wall development in plants, + formation of middle lamella between cell walls
How are sodium ions, Na+, used in biological processes?
- Involved in regulation of oncotic pressure, control of water levels in body fluid + maintenance of pH
- Affects absorption of carbohydrate in the intestine + water in the kidney
- Contributes to nervous transmission + muscle contraction
- Constituent of vacuole in plants which helps maintain turgidity
How are potassium ions, K+, used in biological processes?
- Involved in control of water levels in body fluid + maintenance of pH
- Assists active transport of materials across the cell membrane
- Involved in synthesis of glycogen + protein + breakdown of glucose
- Generates healthy leaves + flowers in flowering plants
- Contributes to nervous transmission + muscle contraction
- Component in vacuoles in plants, helping maintain turgidity
How are hydrogen ions, H+, used in biological processes?
- Involved in photosynthesis + respiration
- Involved in transport of O2 + CO2 in the blood
- Involved in regulation of blood pH
How are ammonium ions, NH4+, used in biological processes?
- A component of amino acids, proteins, vitamins + chlorophyll
- Some hormones are made of proteins e.g. insulin
- An essential component of nucleic acids
- Involved in maintenance of pH in the human body
- A component of the nitrogen cycle
How are nitrate ions, NO3-, used in biological processes?
- A component of amino acids, proteins, vitamins + chlorophyll
- An essential component of nucleic acids
- Some hormones are made of proteins, which contain nitrogen e.g. insulin
- A component of the nitrogen cycle
How are hydrogencarbonate ions, HCO3-, used in biological processes?
- Involved in regulation of blood pH
- Involved in transport of CO2 into + out of the blood
How are chloride ions, Cl-, used in biological processes?
- Helps production of urine in the kidney + maintaining water balance
- Involved in transport of CO2 in + out of the blood
- Regulates Hb’s affinity for O2 rough allosteric effects on Hb molecule
- Involved in regulation of blood pH
- Used to produce HCl in the stomach
How are phosphate ions, PO4 3-, used in biological processes?
- Increases rigidity of bone, teeth + cartilage + is a component of exoskeleton of crustaceans
- Component of phospholipids, ATP, nucleus acids + several important enzymes
- Involved in regulation of blood pH
- Helps root growth in plants
How are hydroxide ions, OH-, used in biological processes?
-Involved in regulation of blood pH
