Question

The Respiratory Quotient (R.Q.) of glucose is

• A. $0.5$
• B. $0.7$
• C. $1.0$
• D. $1.5$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $1.0$

Respiratory quotient is the ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide produced to the volume of oxygen consumed in respiration over a period of time. Its value can be one, zero and more than 1 or less than one. It can be represented by

RQ = Volume of C02 evolved/Volume of 02 absorbed

TheRespiratory quotient is equal to unity if carbohydrates are the respiratory substrate and the respiration is aerobic.

C${}_6$H${}_{12}$0${}_6$ + 60${}_2$ → 6C0${}_2$ + 6H${}_2$0

RQ = 6C0${}_2$/60${}_2$ = 1

RQ is less than one when respiration is aerobic but the respiratory substrate is either fat or protein. RQ is about 0.7 for most of the common fats. It occurs during germination of fatty seeds. Thus, the correct answer is option C.