Oxygen flow

Oxygen flow

MitoPedia O2k and high-resolution respirometry: Oroboros Open Support

Description

Respiratory oxygen flow is the oxygen consumption per total system, which is an extensive quantity. Flow is advancement of a transformation in a system per time [mol·s^-1], when 'system' is defined as the experimental system (e.g. an open or closed chamber). Flow is distinguished from the size-specific quantity flux obtained by normalization of flow per volume of the experimental system [mol·s^-1·m^-3]. An experimental object, e.g. a living cell, may be considered as the 'experimental system'. Then oxygen flow per cell has the unit [mol·s^-1·x^-1], where [x] is the elementary unit for a count. Oxygen flow or respiration per cell [amol·s^-1·x^-1] = [pmol·s^-1·Mx^-1] is normalized for the cell count, distinguished from oxygen flux (e.g. per mg protein or wet mass). These are different forms of normalization of rate.

Abbreviation: I_O2 [mol·s^-1] or [mol·s^-1·x^-1]

Reference: Gnaiger E et al ― MitoEAGLE Task Group (2020) Mitochondrial physiology. Bioenerg Commun 2020.1. https://doi.org/10.26124/bec:2020-0001.v1, Gnaiger E (2021) The elementary unit — canonical reviewer's comments on: Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (2019) The International System of Units (SI) 9th ed. https://doi.org/10.26124/mitofit:200004.v2, Gnaiger 2020 BEC MitoPathways, Gnaiger_1993_Pure Appl Chem, Renner_2003_Biochim_Biophys_Acta