A tissue culture flask containing cells is cultured in 10mL

A tissue culture flask containing cells is cultured in 10mL of media containing 0.01 g/mL glucose. If the cells consume glucose at a rate of 0.01 g/hour, how long before the glucose level in the media reaches 0.001g/mL? Why does this model not accurately represent the rate at which nutrients are consumed by cells? If these cells are grown in a 10mL bioreactor which flows fresh media (containing 0.01g/mL glucose) into the system and continually ejects an equal volume of the existing media, what flow rate must be used to maintain a 0.005g/mL glucose level in the system? Assume a well- mixed system.

Solution

The glucose present is 0.01gm /mL. So for 10mL media, the glucose present is

0.01 * 10 = 0.1 gms of glucose for 10mL

If the bacteria consumes 0.01 gms for 1hr. For the glucose level to become 0.001 gms/mL or 0.01 gms for 10mL, the bacteria should consume 0.09 gms. So

For consuming 0.01 gms it takes 1hr

----------> For 0.09 gms it will take 9 hrs.

The best way will be testing for the amount of glucose left after every hour.