⛽ Alternative Respiratory Substrates

Other than glucose, a carbohydrate, what else can be used for respiration?

Lipids: triglycerides and Proteins

describe the process of Lipids as respiratory substrates

triglycerides are broken down into glycerol and three fatty acids. Glycerol is turned into Pyruvate, and the 3 fatty acids are beta oxidised to create 50 acetyl coenzyme A molecules, resulting in more than 500 atp molecules

describe the process of proteins being used as respiratory substrates

proteins are broken down into animo acids, which then undergo deamination, using up a lot of atp, but creating pyruvate.

what is the equation for the Respiratory Quotient?

CO2 produced / O2 consumed

what is glucose and its formula

a carbohydrate, 6C12H6O