Respiration Rate Calculator
Analyze metabolic activity. Calculate rates via Volume or Manometer, determine Q₁₀ temperature sensitivity, or find the RQ.
Calculated Result
Virtual Respirometer
The fluid moves as O₂ is consumed and CO₂ is absorbed by KOH.
Faster rate = More movement.
Understanding Cellular Respiration
Respiration is the biochemical process that releases energy (ATP) from chemical bonds in food. By measuring Oxygen consumption or Carbon Dioxide production, we can quantify the Metabolic Rate of an organism.
Aerobic Equation
Complete oxidation of glucose requires oxygen. This is why O₂ consumption relates directly to energy use.
Q₁₀ Coefficient
Used to deduce if a process is biological (Q₁₀ ≈ 2) or purely physical (Q₁₀ ≈ 1).
Respiratory Quotient
- Carbs 1.0
- Proteins 0.9
- Fats 0.7
Kleiber's Law
One of the most famous laws in biology. It explains why a mouse has a heart rate of 500 bpm while an elephant has 30 bpm.
Metabolic Rate vs Mass
"The metabolic rate scales to the 3/4 power of the animal's mass."
- Small Animals: Huge rate per gram (lose heat fast).
- Large Animals: Lower rate per gram (efficient).
Respirometer Setup
To measure respiration accurately in the lab, you must create a sealed system.
- Equilibration: Allow the organism to adjust to the temperature bath for 10-15 mins.
- The Control: Use an identical setup with glass beads instead of the organism to correct for atmospheric pressure changes.
- KOH Trap: Place Potassium Hydroxide at the bottom. It reacts: 2KOH + CO₂ → K₂CO₃ + H₂O.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Q10 Temperature Coefficient?
The Q10 coefficient measures the rate of change of a biological system for every 10°C increase in temperature. For most enzymes, Q10 is approximately 2.0, meaning the rate doubles with a 10-degree rise.
How do you calculate Respiratory Quotient (RQ)?
RQ = CO₂ Produced / O₂ Consumed. It indicates which substrate is being metabolized: 1.0 for Carbohydrates, 0.7 for Lipids, and 0.9 for Proteins.
Why uses KOH (Potassium Hydroxide) in a respirometer?
As the organism breathes, it consumes O₂ and releases CO₂. If CO₂ weren't removed, the gas volume wouldn't change (1 mol O₂ in = 1 mol CO₂ out). KOH absorbs the CO₂, so any decrease in volume is directly equal to O₂ consumption.
What is Kleiber's Law?
Kleiber's Law states that an animal's metabolic rate ($R$) scales to the ¾ power of its mass ($M$): $R \propto M^{0.75}$. This means larger animals have faster total rates, but slower rates per gram than smaller animals.
How does a Manometer measure rate?
A U-tube manometer measures pressure changes. As the organism consumes oxygen, pressure drops, sucking fluid towards the chamber. By measuring the distance the fluid moves and the tube's radius, we calculate the volume: $V = \pi r^2 d$.
What represents the Anaerobic Respiration equation?
In animals: Glucose → Lactic Acid + Energy. In yeast (fermentation): Glucose → Ethanol + CO₂ + Energy. Anaerobic respiration releases much less energy (2 ATP) than aerobic respiration (36-38 ATP).