Metabolic Mega Mice: Metabolic rates of mice at differing temperatures

Abstract

We are investigating the reaction of metabolic rate (measured by O₂ input and CO₂ output) in mice to rise in temperature between room temperature and 30 degrees Celsius. The issue at hand is how much two different animals’ metabolic rates differ at certain controlled temperatures. We are answering this question because there is a lack of evidence that shows a difference in metabolic rates between mice at various temperatures. The idea behind the experiment is to measure both O₂ input levels as well as CO₂ output levels, and compare the two metabolic rates between critters, and see exactly how they differ per gram. Our overall experiment was to measure the previously stated O₂ and CO₂ levels, at three trials of three different major temperature intervals. Results show that metabolic rates do decrease as temperature increases, with O₂ levels decreasing, and CO₂ increasing in tests. This research will help contribute toward a better understanding of metabolic rate between mice.