How Does Temperature Affect The Respiration Rate Of Mice

The effects of environmental temperature on respiration rates of mice were observed in this experiment. I hypothesized that when environmental temperature decreased, the respiration rate of mice would increase. I predicted that if environmental temperature decreased, the respiration rate of mice would increase. The respiration rate of the endotherm was measured using the Qubit/Vernier system and the S152 CO2 gas sensor, a device that measured the CO2 concentration in the air. The independent variable for both the control and experimental treatment was temperature. In the control treatment, the independent variable was room temperature whereas, in the experimental treatment, the independent variable was temperature set 10℃ below room temperature.
The dependent variable for both the control and experimental treatment was mass specific metabolic rate.
The metabolic rate measurements were recorded in both the control and experimental treatment. The experiment was conducted over four trials with four different mice of similar size. Results from the experiment revealed the average metabolic rate at room temperature was 1.65 mL CO2/h/g (± SD) and the average mass specific metabolic rate at cold temperature was 2.81 mL CO2/h/g (± SD). The hypothesis was supported because experimental data revealed respiration rate to increased as environmental temperature decreased. An increased in respiration rates led to an increased in metabolic rate as environmental temperature decreased. Experimental results were supported by several published primary literatures that showed how environmental temperature affected an organism’s metabolic rate. The source of errors in the experiment included inconsistent initial and final CO2 concentration values, varying temperatures in the control and experimental treatment, and flaws in the design of the animal chamber used to hold the
mice.

Introduction

Gas exchange is a biological process that involves the diffusion of gas molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. It occurs between the respiratory system and the circulatory system. Specialized respiratory organs, such as the lungs, help aid in respiration and help maximize surface area for greater gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between an endotherm and the environment (Freeman, 2013). The respiratory system pathway begins with inhaled air entering through the nasal cavity. The air then travels to the pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, capillaries, and bloodstream (Collins and Depetris, 2011). Gas exchange occurs in the lungs between the alveoli and capillaries, where oxygen is delivered from the lungs to the bloodstream and where carbon dioxide is transferred from the bloodstream to the lungs (Campbell et al., 2008). The circulatory system consists of blood, veins, arteries, and capillaries and is powered by the heart to deliver oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other essential nutrients throughout the body (Freeman, 2013). Although the respiratory system and the circulatory system work together to allow for efficient gas exchange, certain environmental conditions can affect it.