An LKB-2277 bioactivity monitor was used to determine the metabolic heat output of the competence development of Escherichia coli HB101, which was induced with CaCl~2 in physiological saline. In physiological saline, the metabolic thermokinetic equations of Escherichia coli and the competent cells can be written as P=K~c+A, dc/dP~0=K'c^0. After treatment with CaCl~2, the increases in the K and P~0 indicate an enhancement of the activities of endogenous metabolism in competent cells, which is in accordance with the regulation of the physiological and biochemical activities in the development of competence. The development of competence in Escherichia coli is probably internally regulated and not an artificial process completely.

Key words: ESCHERICHIA COLI, THERMOCHEMISTRY, CALCIUM CHLORIDE