The below mentioned article provides a note on respiratory quotient. During aerobic respiration, oxygen is consumed and carbon dioxide is released. The ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide given out to the volume of oxygen absorbed in respiration, i.e., CO2/O2 is called respiratory quotient (RQ) or respiratory ratio RQ = volume of CO2 evolved/volume of O2 consumed The value [...]
Respiration that is initiated in chloroplasts and occurs in light only is called photorespiration. Photorespiration or Glycolate Pathway: It is interesting to know that in the plants possessing Calvin cycle, the enzyme RuBP carboxylase can initiate the reversal of photosynthetic reactions. This process occurs when there is low CO2, concentration but high O2, concentration. At mid-day, when temperature and CO2 [...]
This type of metabolism, refers to a mechanism of photosynthesis, that is, different from C3 and C4 pathways. Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is found only in succulents and other xerophytes or plants that grow in dry conditions. In this type of metabolism, CO2 is taken up by the leaves on green stems through stomata which remain open during night. However, [...]