A turbulence theory has been formulated which describes, in a simplified, tractable manner, the effect of various wavenumber fluctuations on the statistical behavior of the fluid elements containing reactive species. The theory was then employed, as a primary test, to analyze the turbulent Couette flow of a chemically inert fluid. In the analysis, it was shown that the present theory as applied to a chemically inert fluid is self-containing up to the dissipation function. An experimental value of dissipation function for a pipe flow, for lack of the same for a Couette flow, was adapted and used in the analysis. A comparison of the present theoretical results with the available experimental data on Couette flow showed a satisfactory agreement between the two. A simple relationship has been derived between the dissipation function and the other variables of the theory which would render the present theory completely self-containing for the chemically inert single-component flow. © 1969 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., All rights reserved.