Thermochemical characterization of T-lymphoma cells under non-growing conditions

Cultured T-lymphoma cells, CCRF-CEM, were studied under non-growing conditions by microcalorimetry. A new stirred reaction vessel, mainly designed for biological experiments, was used. The calorimetric results were interpreted by use of known enthalpy data and an assumed net reaction scheme. Of the thermal power measured, 75% could be accounted for by formation of lactate and bicarbonate from the glucose in the medium. It is suggested that the residual power comes from oxidation of intracellular material.