Biomaterial Database

Limitations of Zilversmit approach to analysis of precursor-product relationships. 1984

M E Jones, and T E Nicholas

Recently, a modification of the Zilversmit method has been used to establish the extent to which a precursor-product relationship exists between the phospholipids of the lamellar bodies (PLlb) and those in the alveolar compartment (PLalv) of the rabbit lung. According to this analysis, if a plot of specific activity (sp act) of PLalv vs. the integral with respect to time of (sp act PLlb-sp act PLalv) results in a straight line, then a presumptive precursor-product relationship exists; the slope of this line will indicate the turnover time of the product compartment. We have established analytically and confirmed numerically that collinearity is, in fact, a poor test of precursor-product relationship. We examine some causes of hysteresis and the direction of hysteresis of this plot for compartmental configurations other than precursor product. Finally, we apply the conclusions of our analysis to some of the published data relating to the relationship between PLlb and PLalv, and we indicate where previous conclusions may now be considered premature.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008168	Lung	Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood.	Lungs
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D010743	Phospholipids	Lipids containing one or more phosphate groups, particularly those derived from either glycerol (phosphoglycerides see GLYCEROPHOSPHOLIPIDS) or sphingosine (SPHINGOLIPIDS). They are polar lipids that are of great importance for the structure and function of cell membranes and are the most abundant of membrane lipids, although not stored in large amounts in the system.	Phosphatides,Phospholipid
D011650	Pulmonary Alveoli	Small polyhedral outpouchings along the walls of the alveolar sacs, alveolar ducts and terminal bronchioles through the walls of which gas exchange between alveolar air and pulmonary capillary blood takes place.	Alveoli, Pulmonary,Alveolus, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Alveolus
D011663	Pulmonary Surfactants	Substances and drugs that lower the SURFACE TENSION of the mucoid layer lining the PULMONARY ALVEOLI.	Surfactants, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Surfactant,Surfactant, Pulmonary
D001825	Body Fluid Compartments	The two types of spaces between which water and other body fluids are distributed: extracellular and intracellular.	Body Fluid Compartment,Compartment, Body Fluid,Compartments, Body Fluid,Fluid Compartment, Body,Fluid Compartments, Body
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man