We can investigate the production of carbon dioxide and heat from respiration through experiments using germinating seeds or other living organisms such as woodlice
Practical investigation: demonstrating the production of carbon dioxide
Apparatus
Boiling tubes
Rubber bungs
Hydrogen carbonate indicator solution
Cotton wool
Glass beads
Germinating seeds
Boiled/dead seeds
Method
Measure out 10 cm3 of hydrogencarbonate indicator into 3 boiling tubes
Put in a layer of cotton wool
Place 10 germinating seeds in tube A
Place 10 boiled/dead seeds in tube B
Place 10 glass beads in tube C
Seal each tube with a rubber bung
After 3 hours, observe the colour of the indicator
Hydrogencarbonate indicator
Hydrogencarbonate indicator is orange in atmospheric CO2 levels
In high CO2levels the indicator absorbs the CO2 and becomes yellow
In low CO2 levels it loses CO2 and becomes purple
Colour results for hydrogen carbonate indicator
Results
In this investigation, we would expect to note the following
Tube A should turn yellow as the seeds are respiring and producing carbon dioxide
Tube B should remain orange as the dead seeds produce no carbon dioxide
Tube C should remain orange as there is no living material in there
Experiment to demonstrate the production of carbon dioxide by living material during respiration
Practical investigation: demonstrating the production of heat
Apparatus
Vacuum Flasks
Thermometer
Cotton wool
Germinating seeds
Dead/boiled seeds
Method
Set up the flasks as shown in the diagram
Flask A with the germinating seeds
Flask B with the dead seeds
Make sure the cotton wool is plugging the top of each flask
Hold the thermometer in place with the cotton wool
Invert the flask
Record the initial temperature
After 4 days, record the final temperature
Experiment to demonstrate the production of heat by living material during respiration
Results
The thermometer in the flask with the germinating seeds (Flask B) should show an increase in temperature
Flask A should remain at room temperature
This is because the seeds in flask B are respiring and producing heat energy in the process
This shows that respiration is an exothermic reaction
The seeds in flask A are not respiring because they are dead, so the temperature remains the same
Applying CORMS evaluation to practical work
When working with practical investigations, remember to consider your CORMS evaluation
CORMS evaluation
In the first investigation, your evaluation should look something like this:
Change - We will change the content of the boiling tube (germinating seeds, dead seeds or glass beads)
Organisms - The seeds used should all be of the same age, size and species
Repeat - We will repeat the investigation several times to ensure our results are reliable
Measurement 1 - We will observe the change in the hydrogen carbonate indicator
Measurement 2 - ...after 3 hours
Same - We will control the volume of hydrogen carbonate indicator, the number of seeds/beads, the temperature of the environment
For the second investigation, your evaluation should look something like this:
Change - We will change the content of the flasks (germinating seeds or dead seeds)
Organisms - The seeds used should all be of the same age, size and species
Repeat - We will repeat the investigation several times to ensure our results are reliable
Measurement 1 - We will observe the change in the temperature on the thermometer
Measurement 2 - ...after 4 days
Same - We will control the number of seeds, the starting temperature of the flasks, the material and size of the flasks