Factors affecting incorporation of precursors into body constituents: A review of common sense considerations with glycolipids as examples

The dynamics of cellular growth are of prime importance to the biochemist. The dynamic state of lipids can be studied by employing radioactive substrates or stable isotope‐labeled substrates. This paper illustrates major factors which may effect the incorporation of precursor substances into body constitutents. These factors are: (a) age and species; (b) molar size of the body's pool of precursor; (c) metabolic activity of the lipid being synthesized; (d) metabolic pathways; (e) route of administration of the precursor; (f) the nature of the precursor, i. e., molecular size, ionic or nonionic, water soluble vs. lipid solubility, and micelle formation; and (g) the influence of hormones and drugs. The synthesis and turnover of cerebrosides and gangliosides in the rat are used to illustrate these seven factors.