Daphnia conclusion
Using the data, write a
conclusion on the effect of
caffeine on the heart rate of
the Daphnia. (Compare the
effect of caffeine on heart
rate to the controls. What is
the effect of increasing
caffeine concentration on
the heart rate? Refer to the
data in your conclusion)
Using your research explain
the effect of caffeine on the
heart rate of the Daphnia.
References
List any websites used
(include URL)
List any books used (Title,
author, edition, publisher
and page numbers)
List any journals used
(Title of journal, author,
title of journal, volume and
page numbers)
Overall, the heart rate of the Daphnia increases as the
caffeine concentration increases. The resting heart rate of
the Daphnia in pond water (it’s natural habitat and 0.0%
concentration) is 182 bpm. In distilled water (which is also
0.0% concentration) the heart rate increases slightly by 6
bpm. It increases again by 28 bpm, now at 210 bpm at 0.1%
caffeine concentration and then a further 12 bpm at 0.5%
which brings the bpm up to 228. The standard deviation of
the experimental groups of caffeine concentration do not
overlap, increasing the validity of the results; the standard
deviation of the control groups, however, do overlap which
suggest a possible link between them.
Caffeine is a cardiac stimulant which increases the activity
in the nervous system and circulation the of chemicals like
adrenaline in the body which increases alertness and
causes an increase in the heart rate.[1] The caffeine binds to
receptors within the heart; this blocks an enzyme called
phosphodiesterase from working with another enzyme
cyclic AMP to keep the heart at its normal rate and
therefore, heart rate increases.[2]
1. Daphnia research (2022) Caffeine
2. SNAB biology (2017) Effect of caffeine on Daphnia
heart rate
https://snabbiology.co.uk/effect-of-caffeine-on-
daphnia-heart-rate/#Why_Use_Daphnia [17th
October 2022]
~ Keya Khatri