Typically, the temperature of cell culture medium is 37 C. But if it changes, will cell membrane's temperature follow the change? For example, if the temperature of cell culture medium changes to 24 C, what is the temperature of cell membrane? Follow the environment temperature 24 C or 37 C because of cell life activity?
Hello Prof. Srinath Rao,
Thank you for your attention on my question. This is my research interest.
Regarding this question, one understanding is the cell membrane's temperature is 24 C because of the environment temperature. The other one is membrane's temperature is 37 C because cell's life activity will keep it warm. But I don't know which is right. Or there are some other understandings?
The temperature of the cell membrane should be the same as the temperature of the medium in which it is bathed. Cells are not large enough to retain the heat of their metabolism when immersed in a liquid medium.
Hello Dr. Adam B Shapiro,
Thank you for your answer. I got it.
However, is there any difference in temperature between inside cell membrane and outside cell membrane?
Because of the extremely small distance involved and the presumably high thermal conductivity of the aqueous cytosol, I don't think that a significant thermal gradient could be maintained by the metabolic activity of a single cell. This is just my opinion - I don't have any data or experience in this area.
Hello Dr. Adam B Shapiro,
OK. I got it. Thank you very much for your answer.
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