The analysis of decay curves.

1. The limitations inherent in the conventional treatment of glucose decay curves as first-order rate systems are described. 2. The conventionally derived K value is a rate constant and should not be confused with a rate. 3. First-order systems are described by this rate constant and the initial concentration of substance studied. They cannot be described by either factor alone. 4. Two parallel curves cannot both result from first-order systems. 5. If K is conventionally calculated for two parallel curves, then the value obtained for the upper curve must be smaller than the value for the lower.