Video: Cell Respiration

Introduction

Cell respiration refers to the process of converting the chemical energy of organic molecules into a form immediately usable by organisms. Glucose may be oxidized completely if sufficient oxygen is available by the following equation:

{{\text{C}}_{\text{6}}}{{\text{H}}_{{\text{12}}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{6}}}{\text{ + 6 }}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(g) }} \to {\text{ 6 }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O + 6 C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(g) + energy}}

All organisms, including plants and animals, oxidize glucose for energy. Often, this energy is used to convert ADP and phosphate into ATP. It is known that peas undergo cell respiration during germination. Do peas undergo cell respiration before germination? The results of this experiment will verify that germinating peas do respire. Using your collected data, you will be able to answer the question concerning respiration and non-germinating peas.

Using the CO2 Gas Sensor, you will monitor the carbon dioxide produced by peas during cell respiration. Both germinating and non-germinating peas will be tested. Additionally, cell respiration of germinating peas at two different temperatures will be tested.

Objectives

In this experiment, you will

  • Use a CO2 Gas Sensor to measure concentrations of carbon dioxide.
  • Study the effect of temperature on cell respiration.
  • Determine whether germinated and non-germinated peas respire.
  • Compare the rates of cell respiration in germinated and non- germinated peas.