Respiratory Substrates

Respiration involves the oxidation of organic nutrients in order to obtain energy (ATP). The order of preference for these organic substrates are:

  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Proteins

The most preferred respiratory substrates are carbohydrates, even though the energy yield is lower than that of lipids. This is because the oxidation of carbohydrates is easier than the oxidation of other respiratory substrates. This type of respiration is referred to as floating respiration if the respiratory substrate is a carbohydrate, and protoplasmic respiration if the respiratory substrate is protein.

Respiratory Substrates

The energy yields of various substrates are as follows:

Substrate Caloric Value

| Column 1 | Column 2 |

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