Jamie Morris
Biology 101
Dr. Siddiqui
April 13, 2016
Cellular Respiration Lab Report
Cells can’t grow, reproduce, maintain order or transport materials without a steady source of energy. In most organisms, the energy is provided by adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In order to for these cells to reach their energy demands they must constantly produce ATP. In this lab, we will observe evidence for respiration in mealworms and investigate the effects of different temperatures and experimental variables such as caffeine, nicotine and DEET.
The background information includes using nicotine and caffeine, which act lie insecticides. It also found in the soil of these plants. In humans it not only stimulants the central nervous system but increases our heart rate, blood pressure and makes us more alert. Ethanol comes from plants sugars and found in beer, wine and liquor. When humans drink too much they become impaired and their thought process in slowed down. Temperature is also an important factor for all living things environment. Improper temperature can affect interactions between enzyme and its substrate. DEET is a topical insect repellent. It locks insect’s sense of smell.
Hypothesis
Respiration rate will increase or decrease depending on the temperature
Materials and Equipment
12 Beetle larvae Pasco Xplorer portable data logger nicotine ethanol DEET AC power Adapter for data logger forceps caffeine cotton balls Pasco C02 sensor
500 ml beaker ice water hot plate ring stand and clamp 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask
In this assignment we did several experiments designed to show the effects of different variables on the rate of respiration in mealworms. We also, learned how to measure and calculate their rate of respiration by testing different procedures.
First, the mealworms were exposed to a control treatment in which we used an Erlenmeyer flask topped with a Pasco CO2 sensor and data logger. Three readings were taken within three minutes of each other to average and record.
The second procedure, we placed caffeine and nicotine in the flask in which control treatment was only consisted of only mealworms in the flask. We also dropped in the flask that had been soaked with ethanol and DEET. Control temperature was consisted without caffeine, nicotine, ethanol and DEET.
We also exposed the mealworms to temperature changes by putting the flask in a beaker of water with a thermometer. We used ice to lower the temperature and hot plates to increase the temperature. The control temperature was only consisted at the temperature of bath water.
Recommendations – You may want to use an incubator or a plant
We were able to prove the Hypothesis that respiration rate will increase or decrease as the temperature changes.
