We are testing crude extracts taken from various parts of taro and comparing their efficiency against PCa carcinogenesis. We would like to know why is extract and cells are incubated at 37 degrees Celsius?
As rightly mentioned by Tomas Koltai biological reactions in mammals are optimum at 37 degrees, and enzyme molecules are able to retain its structure at 37 degrees and bring about breakdown of complex molecules efficiently.
Moreover, mammalian cells show optimal growth at around 37 degrees as compared to other cell types like avian cell lines requiring around 38.5 degrees for maximum growth and insect cells need temperature of around 27 degrees for optimal growth.
Mammalian cells operate optimally at 37 oC - molecular kinetics of enzymes and their substrate increase as the temperature increases, meaning a greater number of biochemical reactions can occur. Lower temperatures are less efficient. Higher temperatures cause enzyme denaturation and abruptly halt the progress. Please see the attached graph.