Lab Report: Goldfish Respiration
Courtney McGowan
Goldfish Respiration Lab
Introduction
The purpose of this experiment was to recognize the effects of temperature on the breathing rate of goldfish (Carassius auratus). Goldfish obtain oxygen from the water; the fish have to distribute the oxygen from the water into their bloodstream. This transfer of oxygen occurs over a surface area of capillary membranes contained in the feathery filaments of the gills located beneath the operculum. According to “The Respiration System of a Goldfish” by Sarah Quinlan, at lower temperatures the surface area for gas exchange increases, while the breathing rate decreases . Several different variables took part of this experiment; the controlled variable was the goldfish, the independent variable was the temperature of the water, and the dependent variable was the number of breaths the goldfish took. The hypothesis stated before the experiment was that if the temperature of the water decreases then the number of breaths that the goldfish will take will also decrease.
Discussion The experiment that was studied showed that my hypothesis was correct; once the temperature began to decrease, so did the number of breaths the goldfish took. The results proved that the lower the water temperature is the lower number of breaths the goldfish will take. The experiment could have be operated more smoothly if the goldfish wouldn’t have moved as much when trying to count the number of breaths. My results are important because it shows that something so little, like the water temperature, can make such a big impact on an animal.
Literature Cited
Pendarvis, & Crawley. (2011). Experimentation: The Process Skills in Action. In Exploring Biology in the Laboratory (pp. 13-16).
Quinlan, S. (n.d.). The Respiration System of a Goldfish. Retrieved from The Nest: http://pets.thenest.com/respiratory-system-goldfish-3745.html
Goldfish Respiration Lab
Introduction
The purpose of this experiment was to recognize the effects of temperature on the breathing rate of goldfish (Carassius auratus). Goldfish obtain oxygen from the water; the fish have to distribute the oxygen from the water into their bloodstream. This transfer of oxygen occurs over a surface area of capillary membranes contained in the feathery filaments of the gills located beneath the operculum. According to “The Respiration System of a Goldfish” by Sarah Quinlan, at lower temperatures the surface area for gas exchange increases, while the breathing rate decreases . Several different variables took part of this experiment; the controlled variable was the goldfish, the independent variable was the temperature of the water, and the dependent variable was the number of breaths the goldfish took. The hypothesis stated before the experiment was that if the temperature of the water decreases then the number of breaths that the goldfish will take will also decrease.
Discussion The experiment that was studied showed that my hypothesis was correct; once the temperature began to decrease, so did the number of breaths the goldfish took. The results proved that the lower the water temperature is the lower number of breaths the goldfish will take. The experiment could have be operated more smoothly if the goldfish wouldn’t have moved as much when trying to count the number of breaths. My results are important because it shows that something so little, like the water temperature, can make such a big impact on an animal.
Literature Cited
Pendarvis, & Crawley. (2011). Experimentation: The Process Skills in Action. In Exploring Biology in the Laboratory (pp. 13-16).
Quinlan, S. (n.d.). The Respiration System of a Goldfish. Retrieved from The Nest: http://pets.thenest.com/respiratory-system-goldfish-3745.html
Cited: Pendarvis, & Crawley. (2011). Experimentation: The Process Skills in Action. In Exploring Biology in the Laboratory (pp. 13-16). Quinlan, S. (n.d.). The Respiration System of a Goldfish. Retrieved from The Nest: http://pets.thenest.com/respiratory-system-goldfish-3745.html