Respiration Lab Report
Title:
Cell Respiration with Germinating Pea Plants
Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment is to calculate the rate of cell respiration in germinating and non-germinating pea plants by using a respirometer.
Hypothesis:
If we measure the rate of respiration between germinating and non-germinating pea plants with the use of a respirometer, then the germinating pea plant will have a faster rate of respiration because the germinating pea plants are using more energy.
Connection to Class Content:
This experiment obviously encompasses the concept of respiration. Respiration primarily involves plants-- (photoautotrophs) -- plants that make their own food through the process of photosynthesis. However, the energy resulting from respiration is a necessity in order to obtain the given nutrients from the plant. A cell needs energy in order to operate and perform daily functions (tying in any organelle unit or anything encompassing mitosis/meiosis/cell growth etc). Overall, respiration is a necessity to life for all plants.
Cell Respiration with Germinating Pea Plants
Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment is to calculate the rate of cell respiration in germinating and non-germinating pea plants by using a respirometer.
Hypothesis:
If we measure the rate of respiration between germinating and non-germinating pea plants with the use of a respirometer, then the germinating pea plant will have a faster rate of respiration because the germinating pea plants are using more energy.
Connection to Class Content:
This experiment obviously encompasses the concept of respiration. Respiration primarily involves plants-- (photoautotrophs) -- plants that make their own food through the process of photosynthesis. However, the energy resulting from respiration is a necessity in order to obtain the given nutrients from the plant. A cell needs energy in order to operate and perform daily functions (tying in any organelle unit or anything encompassing mitosis/meiosis/cell growth etc). Overall, respiration is a necessity to life for all plants.
Methods Summary Chart
Materials:
Water Bath
25 dormant peas
25 germinating peas
3 respirometers
25 glass beads
Thermometer
15 % KOH
3 pipettes
3 rubber stoppers
Tape
Thermometer
6 Cotton Balls
3 Glass Vials
Procedure
1. Fill the water bath with water to allow the water inside the bath to become a stable temperature.
2. Next, in order to set up the respirometer, obtain a glass vial.
3. Place one cotton ball at the bottom of each glass vial.
4. Using an eyedropper, drop about 2-3 drops of KOH on the first cotton ball. After doing so, place a second cotton ball onto the absorbent cotton.
5. Repeat for the three respirometers.
6. Label your respirometers. In the first respirometer, place germinating peas. In the next one, place the dry peas into it. Lastly, place beads in the third respirometer. The beads will serve as the control since they obviously do not respirate.
7. Place a rubber stopper on each glass vial. Then, place a pipette wrapped with tape in each of the stoppers to ensure that no air can enter the vial.
8. Place tape on the water bath to make a netlike modality to hold the vials out of the water.
9. Place the resipometers tilted at an angle out of the water on a sling and allow them to sit for a five minute period where they will equalize.
10. Place respirometers into the water bath and allow equalizing for another 5 minutes. Begin recording position of the water in the pipette in divided intervals.
Results:
(Difference in vial volume was noted in mL, apologies for not having that show up on the chart)
Conclusion: Ultimately, the main purpose of the chart is to illustrate the consumption of oxygen via respiration. Our experimental results showed that the germinating pea plants respirated at the fastest rate which reiterated our hypothesis of how germinating pea plants will have a faster rate of respiration because they have more energy.
The non-germinating pea plants respirated at a much slower rate and had little variation. The control also supported our data and predictions as the glass beads never changed since glass obviously is incapable of respiration. Trends in the data for both germinating peas and non-germinating peas show a decreasing increment as time progresses. Potential errors and inaccuracies of our experiment besides human error could also be improper setup and improper timing due to technological issues. Next time to further improve this experiment, I'd run a few more trials to ensure that our data is not only accurate, but also precise. I'd also make sure that all the vials underwent the same testing environment at a similar time period.
The non-germinating pea plants respirated at a much slower rate and had little variation. The control also supported our data and predictions as the glass beads never changed since glass obviously is incapable of respiration. Trends in the data for both germinating peas and non-germinating peas show a decreasing increment as time progresses. Potential errors and inaccuracies of our experiment besides human error could also be improper setup and improper timing due to technological issues. Next time to further improve this experiment, I'd run a few more trials to ensure that our data is not only accurate, but also precise. I'd also make sure that all the vials underwent the same testing environment at a similar time period.