CBL Interfacing

Breathing: Germinating Peas vs. Earthworms

Extensions

Design experiments which would respond to the following two questions:

1. Compare the rates of respiration of other organisms to germinating peas and earthworms. When choosing organisms, keep in mind that measuring the volumes of organisms which can not be submerged will create problems!
2. Compare the rates of respiration of the same organisms at different temperatures.

When designing your experiment you should perform the following steps:

Hypothesis

State your hypothesis in an if....then...format. The hypothesis is an "educated guess" so state why you expect the results which you have predicted. State the hypothesis in a form that includes some specifics. If you do, the hypothesis should guide you through the general design of your experiment.

General Experimental Design

What is your independent variable? How will you set up your controls to insure that you have one and only one independent variable? What is your dependent variable and how will you measure it?

Materials

Make a list of all materials which you will need to conduct your experiment. This takes careful, careful planning.

Safety Considerations

Are you working with chemicals, acids, bases? Are you heating any solutions? How will you protect you and your classmates during your experiment?

Procedure

Determine a reasonable, logical order for carrying out your experiment. Write out a step by step procedure. Include all details.

Results

Prepare a data sheet with tables and a set of axes for a graph. Be sure to enter all data, including any unexpected observations.

Analysis of Data

Determine what manipulations of data will have to be carried out to make an analysis of your results most meaningful. Would a graph make it easier to analyze your results?

Conclusion

What do you conclude based on the analysis of data? Does the data support or refute your hypothesis? Explain.

After your teacher approves your procedure, perform the experiment which you have designed.

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