Question

RQ of germinating Pisum sativum seed is ____.

• A. Unity
• B. More than unity
• C. Less than unity
• D. Zero

Answer 1

The correct option is C Less than unity

RQ or respiratory quotient is the ratio of the volume of oxygen used to the volume of carbon dioxide generated when a given substrate is respired. The RQ for most of the common fats is about 0.7. The Pisum sativum or pea seed contains a lot of fatty acids and during germination, these fats are oxidized. Therefore the RQ od germinating Pisum sativum is about 0.7, that is less than unity.