Question

Respiratory Quotient (RQ) value of tripalmitinis:

• A. 0.9
• B. 0.7
• C. 0.07
• D. 0.09

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The Respiratory Quotient (RQ) is a dimensionless number used in calculations of basal metabolic rate (BMR) when estimated from carbon dioxide production. It is defined as the ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide produced to the volume of oxygen consumed while food is being metabolized.

The general formula for RQ is:

RQ = \frac{\text{Volume of } CO_2 \text{ produced}}{\text{Volume of } O_2 \text{ consumed}}

RQ values provide insights into the metabolic processes occurring:

• Carbohydrates usually have an RQ of around 1.0 because the amount of oxygen consumed is roughly equal to the carbon dioxide produced.
• Proteins typically have an RQ of approximately 0.8.
• Fats have an RQ of about 0.7 because relatively more oxygen is needed to oxidize fats compared to carbohydrates.

Tripalmitin is a type of fat (triglyceride) composed mostly of palmitic acid. When fats like tripalmitin are metabolized, they require more oxygen relative to the carbon dioxide they produce, resulting in an RQ closer to 0.7.

Thus, the correct RQ value for tripalmitin is 0.7.

Now, let's justify why the correct option is selected:

• The option 0.9 is representative of the RQ for closer to some proteins or mixed diets but not specific for fats.
• The option 0.07 is inaccurate as the RQ doesn't go this low for any major nutrient group.
• The option 0.09 is also erroneously low and doesn't correspond to standard metabolic RQ values.

Therefore, the most accurate answer, considering the known metabolic characteristics of fats, especially tripalmitin, is 0.7.