Cellular Respiration
The gas pressure sensor can be used to monitor pressure change in a gas. The range is wide enough to perform Boyle's law yet it is sensitive enough to conduct vapor-pressure or pressure-temperature experiments. Biology teachers can use the gas pressure sensor to monitor transpiration or respiration in an enclosed environment.
In this laboratory experiment, your students will use the Vernier gas pressure sensor to analyze a series of germinating and non-germinating seeds. The gas pressure will be monitored over time and students will report on the differences in the rate of respiration. A temperature study is also included which will alllow students to compare the rates of repiration according to temperature differences.
PRODUCT INFO
This U-PIK will include enough materials for five student groups. Suggested group size is 4-5 students. The U-PIK will include the following:
- 10 gas pressure sensors
- 5 LabQuest 2 interfaces
- 5 dropper bottles of 15% KOH solution
- 1 bag of dehydrated peas (or beans)
- 1 bottle of glass/plastic beads
- 5 100-mL graduated cylinders
- 10 1-L beakers
- 15 18x150 mm test tubes
- 1 bag of cotton
- 5 forceps
- 1 bag of non-absorbent cotton
- 1 bag of absorbent cotton
- 5 thermometers
- 5 stopwatches
- 5 ring stands
- 10 utility clamps
- 5 test tube racks
WHEN TO INTEGRATE?
The gas pressure sensor for cell respiration can be easily used to support the concept of "living' and 'non-living' things. The experiment can also be included when discussing cellular respiration and the production of carbon dioxide.
Due to the mathematical concepts presented (slope and linear regression line), the laboratory should be introduced in a high school biology classroom.
Time: One laboratory period.
Student Level:
INTERMEDIATE (Grades 9-12)
Gas Pressure Sensor User Manual
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