LAB RESPIRATION

 

The amount of oxygen used or carbon dioxide produced by the respiration in animals is one measure of all the organic processes going on within the animal.  The term metabolism is sometimes used to describe this sum total of all life processes.

 

FOR THIS EXPERIMENT, WORK IN GROUPS.

 

NOTE: SODA LIME (NaOH) WILL HARM ANIMALS—DO NOT LET THE ANIMALS

TOUCH THE SODA LIME!!!

a.   Prepare the container: Cover the bottom of the plastic chamber with a thin layer of soda lime (NaOH) (4 to 6 tablespoons full).

b.   Weigh the empty wire cage__________. gm.

c.   Place the animal in the wire cage.

d.   Weigh the animal in the cage.. ___________ gm.

e.   Record on the hand-in sheet the weight of the animal.

f Place the animal (in the wire cage) into the plastic chamber.

g.   Insert manometer apparatus into the open end of the plastic chamber.

h.   Apply a drop of soap bubbles to the end of the manometer tube (shake the soap solution to make bubbles).

i.    Determine the distance (in mm) that the soap bubble moves during three 1-minute intervals. Record data.

j.   Return the animal to the proper cage.

k.  Calculate the respiratory rate of the animal by dividing the ml of 0. consumed by the time:

 Respiratory rate=            ml O2 consumed

          time (in minutes)

 

The respiratory rate is expressed in ml 02 consumed/minute.

l.    Calculate the metabolic rate of the animal as follows:

 Metabolic rate =             Respiratory rate

           weight of animal

 

 

Table

 

 

Type of Animal         

Weight in grams      

Data Taken 

 ml O2 per minute                      

Respiratory Rate 

(ml O2 consumed/minute)                     

Metabolic Rate

ml O2/gBW/Minute  

 

 

1.

2.

3.

 

 

 

 

1.

2.

3.

 

 

 

 

1.

2.

3.

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion

1.What is the relationship between metabolic rate and size of the animal?

 

2. Compare metabolic rates of cold-blooded and warm blooded animals?