Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Respiration in Plants

Question:

When carbohydrates are used as substrate and are completely oxidised, the RQ will be : 

Options:

More than 1 

Less than 1

One

Infinite 

Correct Answer:

One

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) –One

RESPIRATORY QUOTIENT :

During aerobic respiration, O2 is consumed and CO2 is released. The ratio of the volume of CO2 evolved to the volume of O2 consumed in respiration is called the respiratory quotient (RQ) or respiratory ratio.

The respiratory quotient depends upon the type of respiratory substrate used during respiration. When carbohydrates are used as substrate and are completely oxidised, the RQ will be 1, because equal amounts of CO2 and O2 are evolved and consumed, respectively.

When fats are used in respiration, the RQ is less than 1.

When proteins are respiratory substrates the ratio would be about 0.9. What is important to recognise is that in living organisms respiratory substrates are often more than one; pure proteins or fats are never used as respiratory substrates.