Measuring Mealworm Respiration
Hard
Have you ever wondered how to measure the respiration rate of mealworms? This project will show you how to do just that! You'll use a respirometer and potassium hydroxide to measure the oxygen intake of mealworms and observe how their respiration rate changes over time.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that the respiration rate of mealworms will increase with increased mass.
Method & Materials
You will use a respirometer, potassium hydroxide, cotton, food coloring, and other materials to measure the respiration rate of mealworms.
You will need a 9" Pasteur pipette, potassium hydroxide, non-absorbent cotton, an electronic balance, a mortar and pestle, food coloring, mealworms, vaseline, masking tape, metric rulers, a Petri dish/weighing tray, forceps, and a thin wooden applicator stick.
Results
The results of this experiment showed that the respiration rate of mealworms increased with increased mass. This suggests that the larger the mealworm, the more oxygen it needs to survive.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting and unique because it shows how to measure the respiration rate of mealworms using a respirometer and potassium hydroxide.
Also Consider
Experiment variations to consider include measuring the respiration rate of mealworms at different temperatures and measuring the respiration rate of different species of mealworms.
Full project details
You can find additional information and details for this science fair project here. Have fun exploring!Related video
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