Question

A mixture containing equal quantities of germinating Maize and groundnut seeds are taken. The RQ of the mixture would be
A)One
B)Less than one
C)More than one
D)Infinity

Answer 1

Hint: Respiratory quotient is abbreviated as RQ and it is also known as respiratory Coefficient or respiratory ratio and it is defined as the ratio of volume of carbon dioxide involved in the volume of oxygen consumed in respiration for unit time and weight. The instrument used for measuring respiratory quotient is a respirometer.

Complete answer:
Respiratory question is the ratio of volume of carbon dioxide involved to the volume of oxygen consumed in respiration unit time for Unit Weight at standard temperature and pressure. It is given by the formula, RQ= volume of carbon dioxide/volume of oxygen consumed.
RQ for the different respiratory substrate:

1.RQ for carbohydrates: in aerobic respiration,
 RQ = $6CO_2$ / $6O_2$ =1 or less than one.

2.RQ for Fats= 0.7

3.RQ for proteins= 0.9

4.RQ for organic acid = 1.3

5.RQ for mixed diet= 0.8

The respiratory Coefficient different organisms for metabolic balance and it ranges from 1.02 0.73 representing the value for pure carbohydrate oxidation and the latter value expected for pure fat.
Respiratory quotient is less than one if respiration is aerobic and the respiratory substrate is either fat or protein. Contains Carbohydrate and groundnut seeds has fatty acid. RQ of Carbohydrates and fats is less than one. Hence, the RQ of the mixture would be less than 1.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B)

Note: Respiratory quotient is measured at a contribution from the energy produced from protein. However ,due to the complexity of various ways in which varied amino acids can be metabolized, no signal respiratory question can be assigned to the oxidation of protein in the diet.