The respiratory quotient (or RQ or respiratory coefficient), is a dimensionless number used in calculations of basal metabolic rate (BMR) when estimated from carbon dioxide production. Such measurements, like measurements of oxygen uptake, are forms of indirect calorimetry. It is measured using Ganong`s Respirometer. It can be used in the alveola....
(from the article `biochemistry`) ...requiring spectrum-analyzing instruments (spectrophotometers) for quantitative measurement. Gasometric techniques are those commonly used for ...
<physiology> Molar ratio of carbon dioxide production to oxygen consumption. ... (18 Nov 1997) ... 
Molar ratio of carbon dioxide production to oxygen consumption.
(R.Q., RQ) Type: Term Definitions: 1. the steady-state ratio of carbon dioxide produced by tissue metabolism to oxygen consumed in the same metabolism; for the whole body, normally about 0.82 under basal conditions; in the steady state, the respiratory quotient is equal to the respiratory exchange ratio. Synonyms: respiratory coe...
[n] - the ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide expired to the volume of oxygen consumed by an organism or cell in a given period of time
The ratio of moles of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed in respiration 
noun the ratio of the volume of carbon dioxide expired to the volume of oxygen consumed by an organism or cell in a given period of time