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respiratory quotient

noun

Definition of respiratory quotient

:a ratio indicating the relation of the volume of carbon dioxide given off in respiration to that of the oxygen consumed

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First Known Use of respiratory quotient

1879

Medical Dictionary

respiratory quotient

noun

medical Definition of respiratory quotient

:the ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide given off in respiration to that of the oxygen consumed that has a value near 1 when the organism is burning chiefly carbohydrates, near 0.7 when chiefly fats, and near 0.8 when chiefly proteins but sometimes exceeding 1 when carbohydrates are being changed to fats for storage —abbreviation RQ

Learn More about respiratory quotient

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about respiratory quotient

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