Respiratory Quotient (RQ) is defined as

Options

A. Volume of `O_(2)`/Volume of `CO_(2)`
B. Volume of `CO_(2)`/ Volume of `O_(2)`
C. Volume of `O_(2)`/ Volume of `N_(2)`
D. Volume of `N_(2)`/Volume of `CO_(2)`

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Concept of Respiration:**
- Respiration is a biochemical process that occurs in living organisms to convert food into energy. It involves the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide.

2. **Defining Respiratory Quotient (RQ):**
- The Respiratory Quotient (RQ) is a numerical value that helps to understand the efficiency of respiration in an organism.

3. **Identifying the Components of RQ:**
- RQ is defined as the ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced to the volume of oxygen (O2) consumed during respiration.

4. **Mathematical Representation:**
- The formula for Respiratory Quotient (RQ) can be expressed as:
\[ RQ = \frac{\text{Volume of CO2 produced}}{\text{Volume of O2 consumed}} \]

5. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the Respiratory Quotient (RQ) is a measure that indicates the type of substrate being metabolized by the organism and can vary depending on the type of respiration (aerobic or anaerobic).

**Final Answer:**
Respiratory Quotient (RQ) is defined as the ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide eliminated to the volume of oxygen consumed.

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