Question:

If glucose is incompletely oxidized to ethyl alcohol in the absence of oxygen, the RQ will be ______.

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RQ is the ratio of carbon dioxide released to oxygen consumed. Think about what happens to oxygen intake in alcoholic fermentation.
Updated On: Nov 12, 2026
  • \(1\)
  • infinite
  • less than 1
  • more than 1
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
The respiratory quotient (RQ) is the volume of \(\text{CO}_2\) released divided by the volume of \(\text{O}_2\) consumed.

Step 2: Apply to Fermentation
In alcoholic fermentation, glucose is converted to ethanol and \(\text{CO}_2\) without any oxygen being used.\nSo \(\text{CO}_2\) is released but \(\text{O}_2\) consumed is zero.

Step 3: Calculation
\(\text{RQ} = \dfrac{2\ \text{volumes of CO}_2}{0\ \text{volume of O}_2}\), which is a division by zero and has no finite value, so it is infinite.

Final Answer:
The RQ of anaerobic oxidation of glucose to ethyl alcohol is infinite. \[ \boxed{\text{(B) }\text{infinite}} \]
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