What is the respiratory quotient of FATS?
The respiratory quotient (RQ) is a measure of the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed during respiration. It varies depending on the substrate being metabolized. For fats, the respiratory quotient is typically around 0.7.
Fats are metabolized through a process called beta-oxidation, which generates energy in the form of ATP. During beta-oxidation, fatty acids are broken down into acetyl-CoA molecules, which enter the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle) to produce ATP. The metabolism of fats produces more carbon dioxide relative to the amount of oxygen consumed compared to carbohydrates or proteins, resulting in an RQ value lower than 1.
Carbohydrates, on the other hand, have an RQ of approximately 1 because they are metabolized through glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, producing equal amounts of carbon dioxide and oxygen.
It’s important to note that the respiratory quotient can vary slightly depending on factors such as the specific fatty acid composition of the fat being metabolized and the physiological state of the organism. However, an RQ value of around 0.7 is commonly observed for fats.