Balancing of energy-consuming processes of K 562 cells. 
A balance of ATP-consuming processes in human erythroleukemia (K 562) cells by use of the decreased 14CO2 formation from [1-14C]-glutamate following inhibition of energy-requiring processes is presented.  This method was tested on Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells and was used in suspensions of K 562 cells with a low cell content.  More than 90 percent of the ATP produced by oxidative phosphorylation could be accounted for in K 562 cells.  Protein synthesis consumed about 35 percent, Na+/K(+)-ATPase about 20 percent and transcription processes 5-10 percent of the total ATP.  The share of the Ca(2+)-dependent reactions was notably high at 25 percent in comparison with Ehrlich mouse ascites tumour cells, reticulocytes or hepatocytes.  ATP consumption by DNA synthesis was assessed at 5-10 percent.  Only less than 10 percent of the consumption of ATP produced oxidatively remained for other cellular reactions.  The degree of coupling of K 562 cells was high in comparison with that of other eukaryotic cell types.