Thermochemical studies on the competence development of Escherichia coli HB101

An LKB - 2277 bioactivity monitor was used to determine the metabolic heat output of the competence development of Escherichia coli HB101, which was i nduced with CaCl2 in physiological saline. In physiological saline, the met abolic thermokinetic equations of Escherichia coli and the competent cells can be written as P = kc + A dc/dP(0) = K'c(0) After treatment with CaCl2, the increases in the K and P-0 indicate an enha ncement of the activities of endogenous metabolism in competent cells, whic h is in accordance with the regulation of the physiological and biochemical activities in the development of competence. The development of competence in Escherichia coli is probably internally regulated and not an artificial process completely.