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Ion

Electrically charged atom or group of atoms.

Atom or molecule carrying a net charge. Cations are positively charged; anions are negatively charged. Electrolytes (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-) are physiologically essential ions.

How one textbook covers it

Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, 8th ed. (Gropper) — Glossary
Atom or molecule carrying a net charge. Cations are positively charged; anions are negatively charged. Electrolytes (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-) are physiologically essential ions.

Related terms

Zwitterion