Question

Different substrates get oxidised during respiration. How does Respiratory Quotient (RQ) indicate which type of substrate, i.e., carbohydrate, fat or protein is getting oxidised?
`R.Q.=(A)/(B)`
What do A and B stand for?
What tpye of substrates have R.Q.of `1,lt1orgt1?`

Answer 1

The ratio of `CO_(2)` evolved and consumption of `O_(2)` in respiration is called the Respiratory Quotient (RQ) or respiratory ratio.
`R.Q.=(A)/(B)=("Volume of CO_(2) evolved")/("Volume of O_(2) consumed")`
Substrates like carbohydrates have RQ=1 during, aerbic respiration. Proteins and fals have RQ of lt 1 and it occurs during germination of seeds. Substrates like organic acids have RQ of gt 1 under aerobic conditions.