The Effect of Temperature on Respiration in both Endotherms and Ectotherms

Abstract

We conducted this lab to test respiratory rate in correlation with temperature. Our hypothesis was that the respiration rate will increase as the temperature increases/decreases. An animal’s respiratory rate changes when its body temperature leaves its thermoneutral zone. We recorded the respiratory rate of a lab mouse at room temperature, at temperature after being heated slightly, and after being cooled slightly. To record the respiration rates, we used a CO₂ probe and a thermal probe. The slope of our graphs is what represents the respiration rate. The results supported our hypothesis, CO₂ emissions changed as the temperature changed.