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Q.What is respiratory quotient ?

Bihar BsebBihar Board Intermediate 1st Year 2026Subjective· 2mImportance★★★★★
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Respiratory quotient (RQ) = volume of CO2 evolved / volume of O2 consumed; its value shows the respiratory substrate.

What is respiratory quotient (RQ)?

The respiratory quotient, or respiratory ratio, is the ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide released to the volume of oxygen consumed during respiration in a given time:

RQ = volume of CO2 evolved / volume of O2 consumed

Its value depends on the substrate being respired:

  • Carbohydrates — RQ = 1 (equal volumes of CO2 released and O2 used).
  • Fats — RQ is less than 1 (about 0.7), because fats need more oxygen for oxidation.
  • Proteins — RQ is about 0.9 (less than 1).
  • Organic acids — RQ is more than 1. …

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