Is the absolute amount of RNA within any given cell type a function of its size

[Grebo]

I have heard people state that getting RNA from t-cells is difficult.

They attribute this to the fact that as the t-cell is very small it does not contain very much RNA.

 

Now, while I have never said anything I find this logic to be sad.

There should be no difference between the total amount of RNA based on the size of a cell.

Every cell of an oragnism has the same amount of DNA (with the exception of erythorcytes) so unless they are metabolically more active or more actively transcribing shouldnt their be about the same amount of RNA.I might believe an argument be made that an inactive cell has less RNA than an activated cell but the argument about the size seems to be a little hard for me to swallow.

 

Your thoughts?

 

 

[For Prose]

While similar, they have two different functions, so I might have to agree that the amount of RNA found varies based upon cell size. Not due to constraints, but more or less, due to functional needs. I have no hard proof, just my guess on this one.

[CharonY]

I would agree that yield is more a function of activity. But differences of cell types also factor in and sometimes less active cells are also smaller. I would be hesitant to assume a strong correlation (maybe outside of a very limited size range). As an example, non-activated lymphocytes are less active and have an unfavorable RNA to DNA ratio for extraction purposes. Once activated, their cell increases a bit and RNA production ramps up.

 

Edit: cross-posted. The agreement was with OP.

Edited October 15, 2014 by CharonY