Question

What is the respiratory quotient of following
1. Carbohydrates
2. Fats
3. Anaerobic Respiration
4. Protein
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Answer 1

Respiratory Quotient- It is defined as the ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide liberated to the consumption volume of oxygen in the respiration then it is known as respiratory quotient.

$Respiratory \: Quotient = \frac{Volume \: of \: CO_{2}}{Volume \: of \: O_{2}}$

• It actually depends on the type of respiratory substrate used in it.

• It is measured by a device

Ganong's Respirometer.

Examples-

1. Carbohydrates- It is also known as compensation point.

Respiratory Quotient = 1 or Unity.

2. Fats- We say also it oils. It happens in the case of germinating fatty seeds or caster seeds.

Respiratory Quotient = 0.70

3. Anaerobic Respiration- It occurs in the absence of oxygen.

Respiratory Quotient = ∞ ( Infinity)

4. Protein- It generally occurs during starvation Condition.

Respiratory Quotient = 0.9 or 0.8 - 0.9