R.Q of germinating groundnut & castor seed is

Options

A. 1
B. `lt 1`
C. `gt 1`
D. 0

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Respiratory Quotient (RQ)**:
- RQ is a measure that reflects the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed during respiration. It is calculated using the formula:
\[ RQ = \frac{\text{CO}_2 \text{ produced}}{\text{O}_2 \text{ consumed}} \]

2. **Types of Substrates and Their RQ Values**:
- Different substrates have different RQ values:
- **Carbohydrates**: RQ = 1
- **Fats**: RQ < 1
- **Proteins**: RQ can be < 1 or > 1 depending on the conditions.

3. **Identifying the Substrate in Germinating Seeds**:
- Germinating seeds, such as groundnut and castor seeds, are rich in fats (oils). This is important to note because the type of substrate affects the RQ.

4. **Determining the RQ for Groundnut and Castor Seeds**:
- Since groundnut and castor seeds are oil-rich, they primarily utilize fats for respiration. Therefore, the RQ for these seeds will be less than 1.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The RQ of germinating groundnut and castor seeds is less than 1 due to the high fat content.

### Final Answer:
The RQ of germinating groundnut and castor seeds is less than 1.

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