Cellular Respiration (Experimental Design)
Research Question
Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of respiration of various parts of plants (germinating seeds and dormant (non-germinating) seeds), by measuring the oxygen consumption and change in gas volume of respirometers containing either germinating or non-germinating seeds at different temperatures to measure the rate of respiration of these beans at different temperatures.
Hypothesis
1.Germinating seeds have a higher rate of respiration as compared to non-germinating seeds and the glass beads.
2.As temperature increase, rate of respiration increase, greater increase in volume of respirometers.
Materials
2 thermometers 120 germinating seeds
120 non-germinating seeds 120 glass beads the size of germinating seeds
Absorbent and non-absorbent cotton 6 washers
6 calibrated 10mL pipettes A bath of ice water
A bath of water at room temperature A bath of hot water
Masking tape Stopwatch
6 glass tubes with screw on lids, an external diameter of 20mm and a height of 100mm, the lids with a hole in the center, covered with a rubber seal through which pipettes can be inserted
Variables
Independent Variables:
Incubation temperature
Type of seed used (germinating or non-germinating)
Dependent Variables:
Rate of respiration
Constants:
Time allowed for beans to respire
Volume of KOH added to absorbent cotton
Type of glass tube used
Volume of contents in each tube- the purpose of adding the beads along with the non-germinating seeds is to ensure that each respirometer is uniform in volume. Controls:
Respirometer with only beads in it because it does not undergo any respiration
Approach
Two sets of three respirometers will be assembled during this lab exercise. Each set will be incubated at a different temperature. One respirometer will contain germinated seeds, one will contain a mix of non-germinating seeds and glass beads, and a third will contain
Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of respiration of various parts of plants (germinating seeds and dormant (non-germinating) seeds), by measuring the oxygen consumption and change in gas volume of respirometers containing either germinating or non-germinating seeds at different temperatures to measure the rate of respiration of these beans at different temperatures.
Hypothesis
1.Germinating seeds have a higher rate of respiration as compared to non-germinating seeds and the glass beads.
2.As temperature increase, rate of respiration increase, greater increase in volume of respirometers.
Materials
2 thermometers 120 germinating seeds
120 non-germinating seeds 120 glass beads the size of germinating seeds
Absorbent and non-absorbent cotton 6 washers
6 calibrated 10mL pipettes A bath of ice water
A bath of water at room temperature A bath of hot water
Masking tape Stopwatch
6 glass tubes with screw on lids, an external diameter of 20mm and a height of 100mm, the lids with a hole in the center, covered with a rubber seal through which pipettes can be inserted
Variables
Independent Variables:
Incubation temperature
Type of seed used (germinating or non-germinating)
Dependent Variables:
Rate of respiration
Constants:
Time allowed for beans to respire
Volume of KOH added to absorbent cotton
Type of glass tube used
Volume of contents in each tube- the purpose of adding the beads along with the non-germinating seeds is to ensure that each respirometer is uniform in volume. Controls:
Respirometer with only beads in it because it does not undergo any respiration
Approach
Two sets of three respirometers will be assembled during this lab exercise. Each set will be incubated at a different temperature. One respirometer will contain germinated seeds, one will contain a mix of non-germinating seeds and glass beads, and a third will contain