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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

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Measurement of Vacuolar and Cytosolic pH In Vivo in Yeast Cell Suspensions
Published on: April 19, 2013
Intracellular pH: measurement, control, and metabolic interrelationships
CRC Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
|September 1, 1975
Summary
Recent advancements in cell pH research include improved measurement techniques and understanding of pH control mechanisms. Despite evidence for active proton transport, challenges remain in explaining certain findings and correlating cell pH with metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
Background:
- Cell pH research has seen significant progress in measurement techniques and understanding of pH control mechanisms.
- Established relationships exist between intracellular pH (pHi) and intermediary metabolism.
- Active transport of H+ is widely favored for cell pH control, but explanations remain incomplete.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent developments in cell pH measurement and control.
- To discuss the relationship between cell pHi and intermediary metabolism.
- To highlight challenges in interpreting cell pH data due to heterogeneity and methodological limitations.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on cell pH.
- Analysis of established and emerging techniques for pH measurement.
- Examination of evidence for proton transport mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Development of advanced techniques for measuring cell pH.
- Increased knowledge regarding the mechanisms controlling intracellular pH.
- Progress in linking cell pHi to intermediary metabolic pathways.
- Persistent challenges in fully explaining all observed phenomena, such as Carter's group findings.
- Difficulties in interpreting hydrogen ion equilibria and metabolic correlations due to cell pH heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- Cell pH research is advancing rapidly, with improved measurement tools and a better grasp of control mechanisms.
- While active proton transport is strongly supported, some findings require further investigation.
- Cell pH heterogeneity presents interpretation challenges, common in cellular constituent studies.
- Continued progress relies on utilizing current methods effectively while awaiting superior techniques.
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