MadSci Network: Biochemistry |
Dear Mackie, As you know, erythrocytes do not contain a nucleus and have a limited life span in the body or out. However, glycolysis will continue to occur in erythrocytes for a period of time after removal from the body until glucose is no longer available. As for an exact time period, I can't help you with that as there are too may variables. Example - how much glucose is in the plasma; temperature at which the cells are stored: Ion concentrations to help drive the glucose receptor(NA,K pump), amount of ATP available (energy). As with many cells removed from their original source, as long as you can furnish them with appropriate nutrients and growth conditions, the cells will continue to survive for extended periods (such as cells grown in tissue culture). Jeffrey Stiefel
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