Question

Define ‘Respiratory Quotient’ (RQ) and calculate the Respiratory Quotient for Carbohydrate.

Answer 1

The ratio of volume of CO₂ evolved to the volume of O₂ consumed in respiration is called the respiratory quotient (RQ) or respiratory ratio. When carbohydrates are used as respiratory substrate and are completely oxidized, the RQ is 1, because volume of CO₂ evolved is equal to volume of O₂ consumed, as shown in the equation.

`"C"_6"H"_12"O"_6  + 6"O"_2 rightarrow 6"CO"_2 + 6"H"_2"O" + "Energy"`

`"RQ" = (6"CO"_2)/(6"O"_2) = 1.0`