Question

Can the respiratory quotient of a substrate more than if 1 ? If yes, then explain why such happens along with examples of such substances.

Answer 1

Respiratory quotient more than unity(1) is found when organic acids are broken down as respiratory substrates under aerobic conditions.

e.g. :

• 2(COOH)6 + 02 —» 4C02 + 2H20

RQ = 4 C02/1 02 = 4.0 oxalic acid

•C4H60 + 3 02 — 4C02 + 3H20

RQ = 4 C02/3 02 or 1.3 malic acid

• 2C4H604 + 7 02 — 8C02 + 6H20

RQ = 8 C02/7 02 or 1.14 succinic acid


Hope it helps