Chapter 174 of 2363 min read
Respiratory quotient and amphibolic pathway
Why this is asked: RQ reveals what's being burned: carbohydrate respiration gives RQ = 1, fat gives RQ below 1 (oxidising its extra hydrogen needs more O2 than the CO2 released), and organic acids give RQ above 1. Respiration is also amphibolic, not purely catabolic — its intermediates are routinely drawn off to build fats and amino acids too.
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