The Investigation of Respiration using Respirometers Respirometry The Investigation of Respiration using Respirometers

Respirometry A respirometer is a device that determines an organism’s respiration rate by measuring the rate of exchange of O2 and CO2 The living specimen (e.g. germinating seeds or invertebrate organism) is enclosed in a sealed container Carbon dioxide production can be measured with a data logger or by pH changes if the specimen is immersed in water When an alkali is included to absorb CO2, oxygen consumption can be measured as a change in pressure within the system The pressure change can be detected with a data logger or via use of a U-tube manometer

VO2 Max VO2 max is the measurement of the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during intense, or maximal exercise. It is measured as millilitres of oxygen used in one minute per kilogram of body weight. It is one factor that may help determine an athlete's capacity to perform sustained exercise.

Calculation of the oxygen consumption O2 consumption = volume time = 2500 cm3 2 mins = 1250 cm3/min Oxygen consumption = 2500cm3 Time = 2 mins