Computer simulation of the non-steady-state radioactive labelling of a system of metabolite pools with constant rates of influx and efflux.

The derivation is given of the general case of a differential equation describing the labelling of a single metabolite pool that is subjected to constant rates of influx of radioactive material when the pool size is itself changing at constant rate. A programme, written in ALGOL, is briefly described that solves a set of these differential equations, and that can be used to simulate the radioactive labelling of a system of metabolite pools. A copy of the programme, together with examples of input and output, has been deposited as Supplementary Publication no. SUP 50001 at the National Lending Library for Science and Technology, Boston Spa, Yorks. LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1970), 116, 7.