Final answer:
The ratio of CO2 produced to O2 consumed is known as the respiratory quotient (RQ), which provides insight into the type of fuel source used for metabolism. Therefore, the correct option is D
Step-by-step explanation:
The ratio of CO2 produced relative to O2 consumed is called the respiratory quotient (RQ). The respiratory quotient is a measure that reflects the type of substrate being metabolized for energy by an organism. For carbohydrates, the RQ is typically around 1.0, because they generate an equal amount of CO2 and O2 in metabolic reactions. For fats and proteins, the RQ values are around 0.7 and 0.8, respectively, as less CO2 is produced relative to O2 during their metabolism.