Question

Indirect calorimetry: what does it measure? What two values does it give?

a) It measures resting heart rate; gives BMI and blood pressure.
b) It measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production; gives resting energy expenditure and respiratory quotient.
c) It measures lung capacity; gives muscle mass and blood sugar levels.
d) It measures skin temperature; gives cholesterol levels and body fat percentage.

Answer 1

Indirect calorimetry measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production; it provides resting energy expenditure and respiratory quotient values, indicating total energy expenditure at rest and the type of fuel being metabolized.

Step-by-step explanation:

Indirect calorimetry is a method used to measure the metabolic rate of an individual, which pertains to the rate at which the body uses food energy to sustain life and perform various activities. Specifically, indirect calorimetry measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. From these measurements, it gives two values: the resting energy expenditure (REE) and the respiratory quotient (RQ).

Therefore, the answer to the student’s question is b) It measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production; gives resting energy expenditure and respiratory quotient. Resting energy expenditure indicates the total amount of calories burned by the body at rest, while the respiratory quotient provides insight into which type of fuel (carbohydrates, fats, or proteins) is being metabolized by the body.