question_answer 23)

  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? What do A and B stand for? What type of substrates have R.Q. of 1, < 1 or > 1?

Answer:

                The ratio of  evolved and consumption of  in respiration is called the Respiratory Quotient (RQ) or respiratory ratio. Substrates like carbohydrates have RQ =1 during, aerobic respiration. Proteins and fats have RQ of < 1 and it occurs during germination of seeds. Substrates like organic acids have RQ of > 1 under aerobic conditions.