Cell Respiration Lab

Yeast Cell Respiration Lab

Introduction: Cell respiration is a process in which the organisms transform glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and ATPs. ATPs give energy to the cells to function. Yeasts are a type of fungi. They can respire only in certain environments. With the presence of oxygen and glucose, yeasts can undergo the process of cell respiration.

Equation: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O

Objective:  In order to see the effects of temperature on the rate of cell respiration, we can collect the amount of gas produced by yeasts in different temperatures, given the same amount of time.

Hypothesis: Cell respiration operates faster at a higher temperature due to the intensive movement of particles at a higher temperature.

Materials

1.     Water

2.     Sugar

3.     Yeast

4.     Salt

5.     3 Thermometers

6.     Graduated Cylinders

7.     Scale

8.     Weighing paper

9.     3 Syringes

       3 Test Tubes

       Heating Block

       Ice Box

Procedure:

1.     Measure 3 sets of following materials: 35 mL of water, 1g of sugar, 1g of yeast, and 0.2g of salt

2.     Dump all materials except yeast into each test tube

3.     Dump yeast into each test tube and start the timer

4.     Shake test tubes well

5.     Connect the syringes to the stoppers. Start the syringes at 1mL.

6.     Collect data every 5 minutes

Safety:

1.     Be careful of the fermentation of the yeast. Wash your hands after touching the solution.

2.     Do not put your hands into the heating block

3.     Do not put your hands too long in the ice box

Results:

Time (minutes)	Volume at 5 degrees celcius (mL)	Volume at 18.6 degrees celcius  (mL)	Hot temp 49 degrees celcius  (mL)
0	1	1	1
5	1	1.1	2.6
10	1.1	1.1	4.5
15	1.1	1.2	6.3

Cell Respiration Rates at Different Temperatures

Horizontal Axis: Time (Minutes)

Vertical Axis: Volume (mL)

Conclusion:

According to the graph, the volumes of gas produced in 5 degrees and 18.6 degrees merely changed in the 15 minutes interval. However, the volume of gas produced in 49 degrees raised significantly, almost 6 times larger than the other two. As a result, we have evidence to confirm our hypothesis that cell respiration of yeast runs faster at a higher temperature. One of the main reasons for the pace of cell respiration is the increased motion of particles at a higher temperature.

Standards: SP1/1, SP4/1, SP6/1

I am able to ask questions, post hypothesis, collect and analyze data, and apply scientific principles and evidence to explain phenomena.