3.1.8 Inorganic ions

Inorganic ions occur in body fluids, in solution in the cytoplasm of cells, and also as part of larger molecules (some in high concentrations and some in very low concentrations).

Every inorganic ion has a specific role which depends on its properties. There are a few that we study in detail that we need to be aware of:

• hydrogen ions in pH (here)
• iron ions as a component of haemoglobin (they play a role in transporting oxygen, here)
• sodium ions play a role in the co-transport of glucose and amino acids (here)
• phosphate ions are components of both DNA and ATP (here)