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    CP 16 - Rate of Respiration and RQ

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    rifu91
    This document provides instructions for using a simple respirometer to determine the rate of respiration and respiratory quotient (RQ) of germinating seeds or small invertebrates. The respirometer works by measuring the distance moved by a colored fluid in a manometer tube, which indicates the volume of oxygen consumed. Multiple species can be tested to identify the independent variable as species. Distance moved is the dependent variable. The procedure involves setting up the respirometer, making measurements over 5 minutes, and calculating the rate of oxygen uptake and comparing between species. Safety precautions are outlined for handling materials.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    CP 16 - Rate of Respiration and RQ

    Uploaded by

    rifu91
    51 views4 pages
    This document provides instructions for using a simple respirometer to determine the rate of respiration and respiratory quotient (RQ) of germinating seeds or small invertebrates. The respirometer works by measuring the distance moved by a colored fluid in a manometer tube, which indicates the volume of oxygen consumed. Multiple species can be tested to identify the independent variable as species. Distance moved is the dependent variable. The procedure involves setting up the respirometer, making measurements over 5 minutes, and calculating the rate of oxygen uptake and comparing between species. Safety precautions are outlined for handling materials.

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    CP 16 - Rate of respiration and RQ

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    This document provides instructions for using a simple respirometer to determine the rate of respiration and respiratory quotient (RQ) of germinating seeds or small invertebrates. The respirometer works by measuring the distance moved by a colored fluid in a manometer tube, which indicates the volume of oxygen consumed. Multiple species can be tested to identify the independent variable as species. Distance moved is the dependent variable. The procedure involves setting up the respirometer, making measurements over 5 minutes, and calculating the rate of oxygen uptake and comparing between species. Safety precautions are outlined for handling materials.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    51 views4 pages

    CP 16 - Rate of Respiration and RQ

    Uploaded by

    rifu91
    This document provides instructions for using a simple respirometer to determine the rate of respiration and respiratory quotient (RQ) of germinating seeds or small invertebrates. The respirometer works by measuring the distance moved by a colored fluid in a manometer tube, which indicates the volume of oxygen consumed. Multiple species can be tested to identify the independent variable as species. Distance moved is the dependent variable. The procedure involves setting up the respirometer, making measurements over 5 minutes, and calculating the rate of oxygen uptake and comparing between species. Safety precautions are outlined for handling materials.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    Edexcel IAL Biology A Level

    Core Practical​ 16

    Use a simple respirometer to determine the rate of respiration and


    RQ of a suitable material (such as germinating seeds or small
    invertebrates).

    www.pmt.education
    Independent variable: ​The main purpose of this experiment is to understand how to use
    a respirometer and how it works. If you only use one species of animal or seed there will
    be no independent variable. However, if you use multiple species then the independent
    variable is the species of organism being used.

    Dependent variable: ​Distance moved by coloured fluid in the manometer.

    Equipment list
    ● Sample seeds
    ● Sample animals - such as woodlice
    ● Soda lime or potassium hydroxide solution
    ● Spatula (if using soda lime)
    ● Funnel (if using potassium hydroxide solution )
    ● Pipette
    ● Ruler
    ● Marker pen
    ● Stopwatch
    ● Respirometer - consisting of:
    ○ Syringe with connecting tap
    ○ Bung
    ○ Test tube
    ○ Capillary tubing
    ○ Manometer
    ○ Coloured liquid
    ○ Scale
    ○ Gauze

    Method
    1. Use either the pipette and funnel to add 5 cm³ of potassium hydroxide solution to the test
    tube, or the spatula and weighing scales to add 5g of soda lime to the test tube.
    2. Secure the gauze in place above the solution / powder in the test tube.
    3. Select the first species of organism and place a known mass of them on to the gauze.
    4. Set up the remainder of the respirometer as shown in the diagram below. If the manometer
    does not already have a drop of coloured fluid in it, one can be added using a dropping
    pipette.
    5. Use the syringe to move the coloured fluid to the end of the manometer ​furthest from the
    test tube​ and mark its position with a pen, or record its distance from the end of the
    manometer by measuring with a ruler.
    6. Close the 3-way tap to allow ​no more gas exchange to occur​ between the apparatus set
    up and the outside atmosphere and start the stopwatch immediately.
    7. Measure the position of the coloured fluid from its starting point every minute for 5 minutes,
    recording the distance moved in a suitable table. As the organisms respire they take in
    oxygen, causing the pressure in the test tube to ​decrease​ which ​draws in air​ from the
    manometer tube; so the volume of oxygen taken in can be calculated if the ​diameter of the

    www.pmt.education
    tubing is known. ​Once calculated, the rate of oxygen uptake can be calculated per gram
    of organism and then compared between organisms.
    8. Open the 3-way tap connection to the outside air and use the syringe to reset the capillary
    fluid.
    9. Repeat steps 3-8 with any other organisms being investigated.

    Respirometer set-up

    Risk assessment

    Risk Hazard Precaution

    Animal and plant samples Potential allergic reaction Wear gloves when handling
    Wash hands after the practical

    Glassware Cuts from sharp objects Take care when handling


    glass objects
    Keep away from edge of desk

    Soda lime or potassium Corrosie, potential allergic Avoid skin contact


    hydroxide reaction and could irritate skin Be careful when handling Do
    not inhale
    Wash hands after

    www.pmt.education
    Results table

    Time (minutes) Distance moved by Volume of oxygen taken


    coloured fluid (cm) in since start (cm³)

    0 0 0

    To calculate the volume of oxygen taken in since the start (cm³) you calculate the volume of the
    manometer tube that has been filled with oxygen:

    V = 兀r²l

    Where r is the radius of the tube (half its diameter)


    Where l is the distance moved from the start

    E.g. If the fluid moved 1.5 cm in the first minute and the radius of the tube was 0.5mm then the
    volume produced would be:

    V = 兀 x (0.5)² x 1.5

    = 1.178 cm³

    The rate of oxygen uptake per minute can be calculated by ​dividing the total volume of oxygen
    produced by the number of minutes since starting the stopwatch.

    www.pmt.education

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