The Effect Of A Temperature Increase On The Breathing Rate Of A Locus

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The Effect Of A Temperature Increase On The Breathing Rate Of A Locus

Introduction

This investigation will attempt to prove, whether or not a change in

temperature will affect the respiration rate (and therefore the

breathing rate) of a locust. Locusts are 'poikilothermic' and I will

be taking this factor into account when predicting the locust's

reaction to a temperature change.

Preliminary Testing

Preliminary tests consisted of a 'mock experiment', a kind of trial

run of the real thing. The test was carried out as follows:

· Fill a beaker with water of the desired temperature

· Place the locust in a boiling tube and place this in the water

· Observe the number of times the locust's abdomen moves up and down

and record the breathing rate over a period of time

· Repeat for different temperatures

These 'basic' preliminary tests uncovered a few 'flaws' in the

experiment and helped to highlight a few aspects that needed careful

consideration. Aspects that will need to be altered are, the length of

time left for the locust to acclimatise to the new temp. and the

length of time left for the locust to recover. Other factors that will

need consideration are, whether or not to take the locust out of the

tube to monitor its breaths, and over how long should its breathing be

monitored?

It was decided that the locust would need 3 minutes to acclimatise to

the new temperature and that 4-5 minutes would be sufficient time for

it to recover after being subjected to a change in temp. A period of

acclimatisation is required because preliminary tests showed that

locusts took an average of 3 minutes for their breathing rate to be

affected by the temperature change. A period of recovery is required

because it took an average of 4 minutes, 30 seconds to return their

breathing rate to normal

Research into 'Locusts' showed they breathe through their tracheae,

and a movement of their abdomen draws air in and pushes it out. This

means that, in order to count the number of breaths the locust takes,

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