Question

What is the value of R.Q. of germinating seeds of castor?

Answer 1

With the scientific name as Ricinus communis, but often known as castor bean or castor oil plant, is a perennial flowering plant in the Euphorbiaceae spurge family. It is the solitary species of the monotypic genus Ricinus and the Ricininae subtribe.

Complete answer:
Modern genomic methods are presently being used to study the evolution of castor and its relationship to other species. These species propagates using a mixed fertilization system that promotes selfing by geitonogamy while also being an out-crosser via anemophily (wind pollination) or entomophily (insect pollination).

The respiratory quotient (RQ) is a dimensionless quantity which is used in calculation of basal metabolic rate (BMR) from carbon dioxide production. It is estimated by dividing the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the body by the amount of oxygen absorbed by the body. These measures, like those of oxygen uptake, are examples of indirect calorimetry. A respirometer is used to measure it. Because various energy routes are used for lipids, carbs, and proteins, the respiratory quotient value reveals which macronutrients are being digested.

In the case of castor seed germinating, the respiratory substrate is fat. The R.Q. values for fats are often less than one. This is because more oxygen is used than $CO_2$ which is removed eventually.

Note: Being the major source of castor oil, which has several applications. The seeds contain between 40% and 60% oil, which is high in triglycerides, primarily ricinolein. Ricin, a water-soluble toxin is found in lesser proportions throughout the plant and is also found in the seed.