Anthony Araracap

Period 4 AP Biology
Cell Respiration (CO2 and O2)

Background:
Cell Respiration is the process of converting chemical energy of organic molecules into a form
immediately usable by organisms. All organisms, including plants and animals, oxidize glucose for
energy. Peas undergo cell respiration during germination.

Purpose:
The purpose of the lab was to study the effect of temperature on cell respiration using germinated
and non-germinating peas. Our group determined whether germinating peas and non-germinating peas
respire.

Hypothesis:
If germinating and non-germinating peas are compared, then the germinating peas will release
more CO2 and consume more oxygen. If we compare temperature in germinating peas to cool
temperature peas it can be observed at cooler temperature that germinating peas would release more CO2
and consume more oxygen than cooler temperature peas.

Materials:
● Computer
● Vernier computer interface
● Logger Pro
● Vernier CO2 gas sensor
● Vernier O2 gas sensor
● BioChamber 250
● 25 germinating peas
● 25 non-germinating peas
● 250 mL respiration chamber
● Ice cubes
● Thermometer
● Two 100 mL beakers

Procedure:
Using the CO2 gas sensor and O2 gas sensor monitor CO2 produced and O2 consumed by peas
during cell respiration. Both germinating and non-germinating peas are tested. Cell respiration of
germinating peas at two different temperatures will be investigated. Cut open bottle on side and place Co2
gas sensor and O2 gas sensors in respective holes. Wait four minutes for readings to stabilize, then collect
data for ten minutes.

Data & Observations:

(Table 1 Temperature)
Condition Temperature (degrees Celsius)
Room 23 degrees Celsius
(Table 2 CO2 rate of respiration/O2 consumption of peas)
Peas CO2 rate of respiration (ppt/min) O2 rate of consumption (ppt/min)
Germinating, room temp. 0.05839 ppt/min -0.4227 ppt/min
Non-germinating, room 0.004472 ppt/min 0.06978 ppt/min
temperature
Germinating, cool temperature 0.04161 ppt/min 0.005390 ppt/min

During this lab, several observations were taken. Firstly, germinating peas had sprouts, while
non-germinating peas did not. Also, room temperature peas produced more CO2 and consumed more O2
compared to the non-germinating peas and cool temperature germinating peas.
Analysis:

Error Analysis:
In this lab, a few errors may have occurred. For example, not waiting for the readings to stabilize
would yield a different slope, as well as an inconsistent graph. Also, not sealing the bottle completely
would give bad data, as air is mixing in with the respiration of the peas. Besides this, not drying the bottle
completely would contaminate the next set of data.

Discussion:
The hypotheses “If germinating and non-germinating peas are compared, then the germinating
peas will release more CO2 and consume more oxygen. If we compare temperature in germinating peas to
cool temperature peas it can be observed at cooler temperature that germinating peas would release more
CO2 and consume more oxygen than cooler temperature peas” were proven true, it was observed that
CO2 production in germinating peas was higher in comparison to non-germinating peas; O2 consumption
was also higher, which was expected from the hypothesis. According to the graph, CO2 was seen to be
higher, as was O2 consumption. Thus, the hypotheses “If germinating and non-germinating peas are
compared, then the germinating peas will release more CO2 and consume more oxygen. If we compare
temperature in germinating peas to cool temperature peas it can be observed at cooler temperature that
germinating peas would release more CO2 and consume more oxygen than cooler temperature peas” were
accepted as a result of the collected data.

Discussion Questions:
1. Cell respiration was observed from the peas since O2 declined (consumption) and CO2 was
produced.
2. The effect of germination on the rate of cell respiration in peas was an increase in ATP from
Cellular respiration (Mitosis).
3. The effect of temperature on the rate of cell respiration in peas was that the higher the
temperature, the more respiration. However, plants have enzymes, which will only work up to
a certain temperature--after which they become denatured.
4. Germinating peas undergo cell respiration in order to make ATP for mitosis.