Investigating Animal Respiration with Electronic Probes

 

Robert C. Hodson and John Acuff

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2003, Volume 24

Abstract

This computer-assisted investigation allows students to explore the effect of variables on animal respiration using research-quality instrumentation. The model investigation is with a lizard (anole) exposed to a range of temperatures that are only moderately stressful and do no harm. The animal is contained in a transparent chamber with gas inlet and outlet ports and an electronic thermometer. Carbon dioxide-free air is pumped at a constant rate into the chamber. The outgoing air enriched in carbon dioxide passes in turn through an electronic oxygen sensor, a simple drying apparatus, and an electronic carbon dioxide sensor that measures concentration by absorption of infra-red light. Analog voltage signals from the sensors are electronically converted to digital with an interface device and displayed by computer software. Additional experimental questions students may ask and other animals students may use are suggested.

Keywords:  computer based lab investigations, temperature, animal, anole, lizard, respiration rate, electronic probe, carbon dioxide, Logger Pro, Qubit Systems

Louisiana State University (2002)