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

Telangana TsbieTelangana Board of Intermediate Education 2022Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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RQ is the ratio of CO2 released to O2 consumed in respiration, and its value indicates which type of respiratory substrate (carbohydrate, fat, protein, or organic acid) is being used.

Definition: Respiratory Quotient (RQ), also called respiratory ratio, is defined as:

RQ = volume of CO2 evolved / volume of O2 consumed

during aerobic respiration over a given time period.

Significance / values:

  • When carbohydrates are the respiratory substrate, RQ = 1, since carbohydrates already contain oxygen in the same proportion needed to fully oxidize their carbon, so the moles of CO2 released equal the moles of O2 consumed. e.g., C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O.
  • When fats are respired, RQ is less than 1 (about 0.7), because fats are relatively oxygen-poor (rich in C and H), so more O2 must be consumed relative to the CO2 released to fully oxidize them.
  • When proteins are respired, RQ is also less than 1 (roughly 0.9), intermediate between carbohydrate and fat values. …

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