An Inexpensive Pressure Transducer for Measuring Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration

 

Graham R. Kent and Richard T. Briggs

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 1995, Volume 16

Abstract

This abstract describes a pressure transducer developed to measure metabolic rate. Metabolic rate is commonly measured by quantifying the amount of gas (either carbon dioxide or oxygen) that is released or consumed over a period of time. These experiments are traditionally performed with a Warburg-type manometer which tends to be fragile, awkward to set up for the inexperienced student, and provides relatively imprecise measurements. A sensitive but sturdy electronic device which can precisely measure the change in pressure produced by a reaction system has been developed at Mt. Holyoke College.

Keywords:  respiration rate, aerobic, anaerobic

Emory University (1994)