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Year 11 - Science

The effect of temperature on cellular respiration in small organisms: practical

Aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration

Unit Summary

This unit covers cellular respiration as an exothermic reaction in all cells, comparing aerobic and anaerobic processes. It explores cell structures and functions, enhanced by electron microscopy. Emphasis is on conducting experiments, analysing data, and interpreting results.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use a simple respirometer to investigate the effect of temperature on cellular respiration in small living organisms.

Key Notes

  • Effect of temperature on aerobic cellular respiration investigated in small living organisms (e.g. germinating peas).
  • The oxygen used by the respiring organisms in a set time can be measured using a simple respirometer.
  • Identifying independent and dependent variables, and variables to control to increase the validity of the results.
  • The height of coloured liquid in the capillary tube of the respirometer is measured at the start & end of the set time.
  • Collecting repeat measurements at each temperature, and collecting data at different temperatures.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • aerobic: A process that requires oxygen.
  • cellular respiration: An exothermic chemical process that transfers energy for life processes, using glucose as fuel.
  • respirometer: Apparatus used to measure the rate of respiration in small organisms.
  • independent variable: The factor that we change in an experiment.
  • dependent variable: The factor that we measure in an experiment.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That small organisms and plants don't respire (only humans and other large animals).

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

Effect of temperature on aerobic cellular respiration investigated in small living organisms (e.g. germinating peas). The oxygen used by the respiring organisms in a set time can be measured using a simple respirometer.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'aerobic'

A process that requires oxygen. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: That small organisms and plants don't respire (only humans and other large animals). Correction: This lesson demonstrates experimentally that small organisms respire.

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