Converting Kcal/day to umol/g/h

  • Thread starter kathyt.25
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In summary, the conversation discusses how to convert kilocalories per day to millimoles per gram per hour in the context of Basal Metabolism Rates in physiology. It is suggested to use the enthalpy or free energy changes of a reaction to make the conversion. However, since this is not a chemical reaction, the conversation concludes with the suggestion to use the molecular weight of the substrate to make the conversion.
  • #1
kathyt.25
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Homework Statement


*Sorry, I got the prefix in the subject wrong... it's supposed to be KCal/day to mmol/g/h, not micromoles
How do I convert kilocalories/day to millimoles/g/h?

Homework Equations


Obviously there are 24 hours in a day, but I don't know how to go from KCal to millimol/g
 
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  • #2
Presumably you have some reaction(s) to which you want to apply this to? Do you have any enthalpy or free energy changes available?
 
  • #3


No, it's not a chemical reaction. We're working with Basal Metabolism Rates (BMR) in physiology right now, where BMR is measured in kilocalories/day. I need to convert it to millimoles/g/h to apply it to the weight of a mouse.
So I just need to know how to convert the units.
 
  • #4
Well, do you know what it is you're metabolising?

If you have a reaction that gives off e.g. 100 kcal / mol, and that the molecular weight of your substrate is e.g 500 g / mol, you can say that the reaction gives off 0.2 kcal / g. Not sure if that helps?
 

1. What is the purpose of converting Kcal/day to umol/g/h?

The purpose of converting Kcal/day to umol/g/h is to compare the energy intake of different organisms or samples in a standardized unit. This allows for a more accurate and fair comparison of metabolic rates.

2. How do you convert Kcal/day to umol/g/h?

To convert Kcal/day to umol/g/h, you first need to calculate the energy content in umol/day by multiplying Kcal/day by 4.186 (the conversion factor for converting Kcal to Joules). Then, divide the result by the mass in grams to get the final unit of umol/g/day. Finally, divide by 24 to get the rate in umol/g/h.

3. What is the significance of using umol/g/h as a unit for metabolic rate?

Using umol/g/h as a unit for metabolic rate allows for a standardized and comparable measurement across different organisms or samples. This unit takes into account both the energy intake (Kcal/day) and the mass of the organism or sample, providing a more accurate representation of the metabolic rate.

4. Can Kcal/day to umol/g/h conversion be used for any type of organism or sample?

Yes, the conversion from Kcal/day to umol/g/h can be used for any type of organism or sample as long as the energy content and mass are known. However, it is important to note that the conversion factor may vary slightly for different types of organisms due to differences in metabolic efficiency.

5. Are there any limitations to using Kcal/day to umol/g/h conversion?

One limitation of using Kcal/day to umol/g/h conversion is that it assumes that all the energy intake is being used for metabolic processes. This may not always be the case as some energy may be used for other functions such as growth or reproduction. Additionally, this conversion does not take into account variations in metabolic efficiency among different organisms.

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