A student used a simple respirometer to measure the gas exchange of germinating mung bean seeds over a 24-hour period at 25°C. The results are shown in the table.
| Gas | Volume change / cm³ |
|---|---|
| Oxygen consumed | 12.0 |
| Carbon dioxide produced | 12.0 |
Describe how the student can use these results to determine the respiratory quotient (RQ) of the seeds, and identify the most likely respiratory substrate being used. Also, explain why a supply of energy is necessary for the germinating seeds.