Inorganic ions are needed by organisms for components of other molecules, to create electrochemical gradients, to create concentration gradients for osmosis or as cofactors or prosthetic groups which are essential to the function of certain proteins.Inorganic ions are important to the functioning of many processes.Iron is needed for haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen.Phosphate ions are needed for DNA, RNA and ATP.Sodium ions are important in glucose and amino acid transport and the generation and transmission of nerve impulses.Chlorophyll contains magnesium ions.
Ca2+
muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission across synapse
Na+
kidney function, nerve impulse transmission
K+
stomatal opening, nerve impulse transmission
H+
catalysis of reactions, pH determination, formation of ATP from proton gradient
NH4+
production of nitrate ions by bacteria
Mg2+
component of chlorophyll
Fe2+
component of haemoglobin
NO3-
provides nitrogen for amino-acids, proteins, ATP, nucleic acids
HCO3-
maintains blood pH
Cl-
balance positive charge of sodium and potassium ions in cells, movement of water in lungs by osmosis
PO43-
phospholipid cell membrane, nucleic acid, ATP, bone formation
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A lipid in which one fatty acid is replaced by a phosphate group, giving a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails.
ATP
Adenosine triphosphate, a nucleotide that acts as the immediate energy source in cells, releasing energy when hydrolysed to ADP and phosphate.
osmosis
The net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential to a region of lower water potential through a selectively permeable membrane.
haemoglobin
A globular, quaternary protein in red blood cells, made of four polypeptide chains each with a haem group, that binds and transports oxygen.