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Q.Define RQ. Write a short note on RQ.

Telangana TsbieTelangana Board of Intermediate Education 2018Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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RQ is the ratio of CO2 released to O2 consumed in respiration, and its value indicates which type of substrate (carbohydrate, fat, protein, organic acid) is being respired.

Definition: The Respiratory Quotient (RQ), also called the Respiratory Ratio, is defined as:

RQ=Volume of CO2 evolvedVolume of O2 consumedRQ = \dfrac{\text{Volume of CO}_2 \text{ evolved}}{\text{Volume of O}_2 \text{ consumed}}

Dependence on substrate: The value of RQ depends on the type of respiratory substrate being oxidised:

  • Carbohydrates as substrate: Since carbohydrates are already fully oxygenated (e.g., glucose, C6H12O6), their complete oxidation consumes O2 in an amount exactly equal to the CO2 released, so RQ = 1.

    C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2OC_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O

  • Fats as substrate: Fats are highly reduced (rich in hydrogen, poor in oxygen relative to carbon), so more O2 is required for their complete oxidation than the CO2 produced. Hence RQ < 1 (typically around 0.7).

  • Proteins as substrate: RQ is usually close to 0.9.

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