Respiration theory

Respiration is a process that occur in living organisms involving the production of

energy, it requires the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide from the
oxidation of complex organic substances. Gases are constantly needed , and
produced as a byproduct of cellular respiration, these gases are facilitated by
gaseous exchange. In this experiment, 8 grasshoppers are to be investigated, to
determine their respiration rate, an apparatus known as a respirometer will be used
to investigate this. firstly in setting up the apparatus, few drops of sodium hydroxide
will be added on to a piece cotton wool and placed in a conical flask to absorb the
carbon dioxide present from the flask then some methyl orange solution will be
placed into the glass tube as an manometric fluid. The grass hopper will then be
placed into the conical flask and be left for five minutes to equalize the
respirometer.
Discussion
Respiration is a chemical process by which organic compounds release energy.
There are two types of respiration aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic respiration
requires oxygen to release energy, the equation of aerobic respiration is as follows:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy
The oxygen needed for respiration comes from breathing in air, the oxygen then fills
small air sacs which then it is diffused into the blood stream.