Question

Respiratory quotient (RQ) for fat tripalmitin is
a. 0.9
b. 1.0
c. 1.4
d. 0.7

Answer 1

One can say that a triglyceride which is derived from the fatty acid palmitic acid tripalmitin is called tripalmitin. A dimensionless number that is used in calculations of basal metabolic rate (BMR in short) when it is projected from carbon dioxide production is called the respiratory quotient (which is also known as respiratory coefficient). The abbreviation form for the term Respiratory quotient is RQ.

Complete answer:
In general, the respiratory quotient of a substance depends on the type of respiratory substrate used in the duration of respiration when the respiratory substrate is fat (like Tripalmitin), then the value of RQ is about 0.7.

The factors such as energy balance, circulating insulin, and insulin sensitivity may affect the respiratory quotient of the substances.

However, if the respiratory substrate is a carbohydrate, the RQ is 1. In addition, the value of RQ is above 1 if the respiratory substrate is an organic acid. Moreover, the value of RQ is above 0.8 if the respiratory substrate is a protein or a mixed diet.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: One can say that the respiratory quotient is a ratio:
RQ = the $C{O_2}$ eliminated divided by the ${O_2}$ consumed.
There are many metabolized substances in the form of chemical compounds. They contain the elements only like carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The deamination of glycerol, carbohydrates, products, fatty acids, and ethanol can be included in them.

The chemical equation for the complete oxidation of such compounds will be:
${C_X}{H_{_{}Y}}{O_Z} + \left ( X + \dfrac{Y}{4} - \dfrac{Z}{2} \right ){O_2} \to XC{O_2} + \left (\dfrac{Y}{2}\right){H_2}O$
Thus, we can say that the metabolism of this equation would be:
RQ $=\dfrac{X}{{\left(X + \left(\dfrac{Y}{4}\right) - \left(\dfrac{Z}{2}\right)\right)}}$