Group Names: Nurayda (Person 2), Aleena (Person 3), Joanna (Person 4), and

Christeena (Person 1)

Question

How will a change in temperature affect the rate of cellular respiration?

Background Information

Cellular respiration is the process by which chemical energy in food is released and transformed into
the form of ATP. All living organisms perform cellular respiration. Carbon dioxide bubbles allow us to
effectively measure cell respiration because the rate of carbon dioxide bubbles being created shows the
rate of cellular respiration. For example, the faster carbon dioxide bubbles were created, the faster
cellular respiration occurred. Factors that can affect cellular respiration include temperature and the
amount of glucose. We selected temperature as our independent variable. This is because we knew
temperature affected the rate of diffusion, and we wanted to see how temperature affected the rate of
cellular respiration. The results would also be quantitative instead of qualitative, which could be more
reliable.

Hypothesis
If the temperature of water is warmer, then the rate of cellular respiration will increase. If the
temperature of water is colder, then the rate of cellular respiration will decrease. We think this
because cellular and molecular movement increases at warmer temperatures and decreases at
colder temperatures.

Variables
Independent Variable: The temperature of water (20°C, 40°C, and 60°C will be tested)

Dependent Variable: Amount of cellular respiration, which we measured by counting the amount
of carbon dioxide bubbles produced in the Bromothymol Blue within 5 minutes

Constants:

● The amount of time we counted the carbon dioxide bubbles produced in in the
Bromothymol Blue (5 minutes)
● The amount of Bromothymol Blue we used in each trial (20 mL)
● The amount of water we used in each trial (20 mL)
● The amount of yeast we used in each trial (2 grams)
● The amount of sugar we used in each trial (2 grams)
● The test tubes we used in each trial
 Materials

● 18 grams of yeast
● 18 grams of sugar
● 900 mL of water
● 180 mL of Bromothymol Blue
● 6 test tubes
● 3 rubber stoppers with tubing
● 1 thermometer
● 1 hot plate
● 1 measuring scale
● 6 plastic weigh boats
● 4 graduated cylinders
● 5 ice cubes
● 1 stirring rod

Procedure
1. Wear goggles and make sure they are properly fitted around your eyes.
2. Place a beaker of 100 mL of water on the hot plate and turn the hot plate on. Monitor the
temperature with a thermometer until it reaches the temperature needed for the trial.
a. When making the water 20°C, add 5 ice cubes and skip step 3.
3. Use gloves to take the beaker off the hot plate. *Make sure not to hurt yourself or
others*
4. Place a plastic weigh boat on the measuring scale and press the zero button so that the
scale only measures what’s inside the plastic weigh boat.
5. Measure out 2 grams of yeast in the plastic weigh boat on the scale and pour it into a test
tube. *Make sure no yeast is spilled*
6. Measure out 2 grams of sugar in the plastic weigh boat on the scale and pour it into the
test tube with yeast. *Make sure no sugar is spilled*
7. Use gloves to pour 20 mL of the water from step 1 into a graduated cylinder. *Make sure
not to hurt yourself or others*
8. In another graduated cylinder, measure out 20 mL of Bromothymol Blue.
9. Fill three beakers with 80 mL of cold water.
10. Use gloves to pour 20 mL of the water from step 1 into each beaker. *Make sure not to
hurt yourself or others*
11. Pour the Bromothymol Blue in the graduated cylinder into a test tube. *Make sure no
Bromothymol Blue is spilled*
12. Place the end of the tubing from the rubber stopper with tubing into the test tube with
Bromothymol Blue.
13. Pour the water in the graduated cylinder into the test tube with yeast and sugar. *Make
sure no water is spilled*
 14. Quickly use a stirring rod to stir the test tube with water, yeast, and sugar.
15. Place the test tube with water, yeast, and sugar into a beaker of 100 mL of water.
16. Fit the rubber stopper end of the rubber stopper with tubing (the end of the tubing should
be in the Bromothymol Blue test tube) onto the opening of the test tube with the water,
yeast, and sugar.
17. Start a 5 minute timer and count the number of carbon dioxide bubbles produced in the
Bromothymol Blue test tube in 5 minutes.
18. Thoroughly clean and dry the test tubes, beakers, and graduated cylinders.
19. Repeat these steps 9 times: 3 times with a water temperature of 20°C, 3 times with a water
temperature of 40°C, and 3 times with a water temperature of 60°C.

Data Table

The Number of Bubbles in Bromothymol Blue (BTB) as a Result of Yeast’s Cellular Respiration
After 5 Minutes Using Different Temperatures of Water as a Reactant

Number of Bubbles in BTB After 5 Minutes

Temperature of Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average of all

Water (in Trials (rounded
Degrees Celsius) to the nearest
tenth)

20 12 51 22 28.3

40 165 76 56 99

60 65 240 106 137

Average of all Trials = (Sum of the number of bubbles produced in all trials)/(Number of Trials)

Qualitative Data:

● After the water was poured into the yeast test tube, some yeast floated but most stayed at
the bottom.
● The pieces of sugar were small and no two pieces were the same size or shape.
● The yeast consisted of small brown pellets and smelled like bread.
● The Bromothymol Blue smelled like chlorine and looked lighter after it was poured into the
BTB test tube.
● After the rubber stopper was removed from the yeast test tube, the tube smelled like
bread.
● Air was seen travelling through the pipe, causing bubbles to be released.
● After a few minutes, the yeast test tube began foaming at the top.
● The bubbles that were produced in the BTB were very similar in size.
● Even after 5 minutes, bubbles were released in the BTB.
 ● The rate of bubbles being released into the BTB started off slowly and increased but no
constant rate was achieved.

Graph

Conclusion
In conclusion, our data supports our hypothesis. When the temperature of water increased at
60°C and 40°C, the rate of cellular respiration increased. At 60°C, the average number of carbon
dioxide bubbles produced in Bromothymol Blue as a result of cellular respiration was 137. At
40°C, the average number of carbon dioxide bubbles produced in Bromothymol Blue as a result
of cellular respiration was 99. When the temperature of water decreased at 20°C, the rate of
cellular respiration decreased. At 20°C, the average number of carbon dioxide bubbles produced
in Bromothymol Blue as a result of cellular respiration was 28.3. Our results make sense because
cellular and molecular movement increases at warmer temperatures and decreases at colder
temperatures. This is because higher temperatures increase the energy of molecules while lower
temperatures decrease the energy of molecules. An example of a cellular and molecular
movement that follows this pattern is diffusion.
 Evaluation of Weaknesses

Statement of Explain - How does this weakness How could the experiment be
Weakness specifically affect the data? improved to eliminate or lessen
the weakness?
Does this weakness make it seem
like more or less cell respiration
occurred?

Weakness #1: Some materials from previous Next time we do this

classes’ experiments had been left in
The the test tubes, affecting our data.
uncleanliness of
test tubes If the test tube contained yeast at the
bottom, it seemed like more cellular
respiration occurred.
experiment, we could use more
cleaning materials to clean the
test tubes before our experiment
to eliminate or lessen the
weakness.

Weakness #2: In order to start our experiment, we Next time we do this

had to pour water into a test tube, use experiment, we could set timers
Timing our a stirring rod to stir the contents of the for each step so that every trial
experiment test tube, place a rubber stopper on of our experiment will start at
the opening of the test tube, and the same time. This will
place tubing attached to the rubber eliminate or lessen the
stopper into another test tube with weakness.
Bromothymol Blue. After all these
steps were completed, we began
timing our experiment. However, the
rate at which these steps were
completed differed for each trial of our
experiment.

If we started the timer too early, it

seemed like less cellular respiration
occurred. On the other hand, if we
started the timer too late, it seemed
like more cellular respiration occurred.
 Evaluation of Limitations

Statement of Explain - How does this limitation affect What improvement could be
Limitation our ability to form a reliable conclusion? made to expand our
knowledge / eliminate this
limitation.

Limitation #1: We weren’t able to fully investigate our Next time we do this
independent variable. The highest experiment, an improvement
We weren’t able temperature we used was 60°C and the we could make to expand
to increase the lowest temperature we used was 20°C. our knowledge and eliminate
temperature to This may not fully represent the effects this limitation is starting the
more than 60°C increased and decreased temperatures experiment earlier. That way,
and decrease have on cellular respiration. we will have more time to
the temperature increase and decrease the
to less than water temperatures.
20°C

Limitation #2: Our results could have been inaccurate Next time we do this
from air escaping between the rubber experiment, an improvement
The rubber stoppers on the rubber stoppers with we could make to expand our
stoppers on the tubing and the openings of test tubes. knowledge and eliminate this
rubber stoppers limitation is using rubber
with tubing stoppers on the rubber
didn’t fit onto stoppers with tubing that
the opening of properly fit on the openings of
test tubes. the test tubes. This will
prevent any air from escaping.
 MYP Rubric Criterion B: Inquiring and Designing
You explain a problem or question to be tested by the scientific investigation.
7-8
● Question indicates your independent and dependent variables
● You include some background information: What is cellular respiration? How can measuring the
color change of Bromothymol Blue allow us to measure the amount of cellular respiration? What
factors CAN affect cellular respiration? Why did you select the independent variable that you
selected?

You formulate and explain a testable hypothesis using correct scientific reasoning.

● A testable prediction is stated and includes a “because” (scientific REASONING connecting the
color change of bromothymol blue to cellular respiration).

You explain how to manipulate the variables and explain how sufficient, relevant data will be
collected.

Variables:

● Independent variable is identified & you’ve stated how you are manipulating it.

Include the RANGE (For example: Temps 10, 25, & 40 °C will be tested)

● Dependent variable identified AND you’ve stated how you are measuring it.

● Constants identified (how are you keeping these constant?)

HINT: Think about what OTHER factors could influence cellular respiration.

Data:

● You explain how many trials you will be conducting.

You design a logical, complete and safe method in which you select appropriate materials and
equipment.

Written Procedure:

● List the materials needed

● Could someone easily follow / repeat your experiment based on your instructions?
● How have you ensured safety rules will be followed
 ● You describe a problem or question to be tested.
5-6 ● You formulate and explain a hypothesis using scientific reasoning.
● You describe how to manipulate the variables and describe how sufficient, relevant data will be
collected.
● You design a complete and safe method in which you select the appropriate materials and
equipment.

●
3-4 ●
You outline a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation.
You formulate a testable hypothesis using scientific reasoning.
● You outline how to manipulate the variables and outline how relevant data will be collected.
● You design a safe method in which you select materials and equipment.

●
1-2 ●
You state a problem or question to be tested.
You outline a testable hypothesis
● You outline the variables.
● You design a method with limited success.

· You do not reach a standard identified by any of the descriptors.

0
 MYP Rubric Criterion C: Processing and Evaluating

You correctly collect, organize, and transform and present data in numerical and / or
7-8 visual forms.

● Do you have an organized, properly labeled data table with quantitative AND qualitative /
observational data?
● Processed data: Did you perform AND show some sort of calculation to summarize your
data?
● Did you present your processed data clearly in a graph so that it can be quickly
understood?
CONCLUSION:

You evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific

investigation.

· State your conclusion – How did your independent variable affect cell
respiration?
· Was your hypothesis supported or not supported by your DATA? Why?

You accurately interpret data and explain results using correct scientific reasoning.

· Use DATA (numbers) from your table/graph to support your conclusion.

· Using what you know about cell respiration (or researching it) explain WHY your
independent variable affected the amount of CO2 produced. Or, if it didn’t why it
should have.

You evaluate the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific
investigation.

(Errors & Limitations)

· Comment on what caused the variations seen in your trials/repetitions

Think / comment on:

o Any constants that you forgot to keep constant OR were difficult to keep constant.

o Any variations that were caused due to measuring the color change of the BTB.

o Any limitations of your data including # of repetitions or limitations with the independent
variable.

You explain improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the scientific
investigation. (Improvements)

· If you were to do this experiment again, how might you improve your method in
order to eliminate the errors that you identified in the errors & limitations.
· What further investigations could you do to extend your knowledge?
 · You correctly collect, organize and present data in numerical and/or visual forms
5-6
· You accurately interpret data and explain results using scientific reasoning

· You discuss the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

· You discuss the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

· You describe improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the scientific
investigation.

· You correctly collect and present data in numerical and/or visual forms
3-4
· You accurately interpret data and explain results

· You outline the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

· You outline the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

· You outline improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the scientific
investigation.

· You collect and present data in numerical and/or visual forms

1-2
· You interpret data

· You state the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

· You state the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

· You state improvements or extensions to the method

You do not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors above.

0

Criterion B MYP Score = _______/8 =

Criterion B MiStar score = _______/15

Criterion C MYP Score = _______/8 =

Criterion C MiStar score = _______/15

TOTAL MiStar grade = ________/ 30 points