The Respiratory Quotient is ________ for Consumed Carbohydrates Compared to Proteins

Question

The respiratory quotient is ________ for consumed carbohydrates compared to proteins and fats.
A) highest
B) lowest
C) the same

Accepted Answer

The respiratory quotient (RQ) is the ratio of the amount of carbon dioxide produced to the amount of oxygen consumed during cellular respiration. The RQ for carbohydrates is 1.0, which is the highest of all macronutrients because they are fully oxidized to carbon dioxide and water. The RQ for proteins is around 0.8, and for fats, it is about 0.7. Thus, consumed carbohydrates have the highest respiratory quotient compared to proteins and fats.