Cell Respiration Lab

Purpose

The purpose of this lab is to measure the amount of carbon dioxide released by cellular respiration by marbles, non-germinated peas, germinated peas, and germinated peas at a cool temperature.  

Introduction

Cell respiration is the process of oxidizing food molecules, like glucose, to carbon dioxide and water. It is represented by the equation: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ + 6H₂O → 12H₂O + 6 CO_{2.  In cell respiration, chemical energy from "food" molecules is released and partially captured in the form of ATP. Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins can all be used as fuel for cell respiration, however glucose is the most common. Cells take the carbohydrate into their cytoplasm, and through a complex series of metabolic processes, they break down the carbohydrate and release energy in the form of ATP. When cells to go through cell respiration, they take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.} 

First we put 25 marbles into the respiration chamber.

        

Then we put 25 non-germinating peas in the respiration chamber and recorded the amount of CO_{2 produced in 10 minutes.}

We then did the same process but with germinating peas.

We soaked the germinating peas in ice water for 5 minutes.

We blotted them dry and put them into the respiration chamber again.

Lastly, we tested the cold germinating peas in the respiration chamber for 10 minutes again.

Data:

Graphs:

Discussion

In this experiment, marbles, non-germinating peas, and germinating peas at different temperatures were tested for their particular rates of cell respiration. In testing the non-germinating peas in contrast to the germinating peas, data showed that germination greatly accelerated the rate of cell respiration. This shows a greater rate of metabolic activity in germinating peas versus non-germinating peas. The non-germinating peas showed very little activity, with only about .02 for the rate of respiration. When testing the peas dunked in cold water versus the peas that were at room temperature, the warmer peas showed an increase in respiration in contrast to the cold peas. The germinating peas respirate more than the dormant peas because the pea needs energy for the growth that is happening, something that is not needed in the dormant pea.  

Conclusion

This lab presents the different rates of respiration based on different organisms. It was found that

germinating peas respirate at a higher level than dormant peas.