Designing a Lab IMPROVED

Caitlin Barrett

Research Question: Does the addition of one or more worms (Lumbricus terrestris) affect
the amount of CO2 produced within an enclosed bell jar?

Hypothesis: The addition of Lumbricus terrestris to the bell jar would increase the amount
of CO2 produced due to the respiration of the Lumbricus terrestris. The worms would
absorb the oxygen when it inhales and send out carbon dioxide when it exhales would
would increase the amount present within the enclosed area. As more Lumbricus terrestris
added to the jar, the amount of CO2 produced would increase because there are more
Lumbricus terrestris absorbing the same oxygen and releasing more CO2. Due to the fact
that it is in an enclosed area with no outer source of oxygen, if left in the bell jar for an
extended amount of time the worms will die as the jar will end filled with carbon dioxide.

Variables:
Independent: amount of Lumbricus terrestris’
Dependent: CO2 production

Controlled: the size of the jar

the amount of time the worm(s) are left for
the size of the worms
the type of worms

Apparatus:
10 worms (Lumbricus terrestris)
A bell jar
A CO2 detector attached to a computer
4 petrie dishes to place the worms in (one for each trial)
Stop watch

Method:
1.Place one worm in a petrie dish and place it inside the enclosed bell jar (closed
with a cork) with the CO2 detector inside as well.
2.Make sure the CO2 detector is on and the LoggerLite is started on the computer
and set to 30 minutes
3.Press record on LoggerLite to begin data collection
4.Allow the worm to stay inside the bell jar for 30 minutes and allow the CO2
detector to collect the data for this time period
5.When the time is up, record the results on a data table and remove the worm from
the bell jar
6. Save the graph on LoggerLite and restart the data collection for the next trial
7.Place 2 worms in the second petrie dish and place back under the bell jar for 30
minutes with the CO2 detector collecting data
8.Once again, when the time is complete, remove the petrie dish with the worms on
it and record the data found from this trial
9.Repeat steps 1 to 6 with three worms and four worms and record the data
10. When all 10 worms have been used compare the data and see the differences
in CO2 production based on the number of worms present in the bell jar.