Explaining the effect of temperature on the rate of cellular respiration
I can analyse data collected from a respirometer, calculate the rate of cellular respiration, and explain the effect of temperature on the rate.
Explaining the effect of temperature on the rate of cellular respiration
I can analyse data collected from a respirometer, calculate the rate of cellular respiration, and explain the effect of temperature on the rate.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Calculate the rate of respiration by dividing the distance moved up the capillary tube of a respirometer by the time.
- Use appropriate units for the rate of cellular respiration.
- Compare the rate of respiration in small organisms at different temperatures.
- Describe trends in the data.
- Use ideas about enzymes and rate of chemical reactions to explain the effect of temperature on the rate of respiration.
Keywords
Rate - A measure of how much change occurs per unit of time.
Cellular respiration - An exothermic chemical process that transfers energy for life processes, using glucose as fuel.
Respirometer - Apparatus used to measure the rate of respiration in small organisms.
Enzyme - A biological catalyst.
Denature - When bonds in an enzyme molecule break and the molecule changes shape.
Common misconception
Not appreciating that increasing temperature up to the optimum has a different effect on rate than increasing temperature above the optimum.
The effects on rate of increasing temperature up to and beyond the optimum are explained.
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Explaining the effect of temperature on the rate of cellular respiration, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Explaining the effect of temperature on the rate of cellular respiration, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What kind of cellular respiration is used to produce alcoholic drinks?
Q2.Bacteria that produce lactic acid when they respire are used in the production of yogurt from milk. What can you conclude about the amount of oxygen dissolved in milk?
Q3.The simple respirometer shown in the diagram is used to investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of cellular respiration. Match each variable to its correct example.
dependent variable -
the distance moved by the coloured water
independent variable -
the temperature of the water bath
control variable -
the number of germinating peas
Q4.When using this type of respirometer, the water moves up the capillary tube because the pressure inside the test tube falls. Why does the pressure in the tube fall?
Q5.A student plans to use a respirometer to investigate the effect of temperature and amount of glucose on the rate of respiration. The investigation will not produce valid results. Why?
Q6.A student used the respirometer shown. After 5 minutes at 25 °C, the coloured water moved 8 mm towards tube A and 2 mm towards tube B. How many mm has the water moved because of cellular respiration?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The respirometer shown is used to measure the rate of respiration. What units would the rate of respiration be measured in?
Q2.The following table shows results from a respirometer experiment. What conclusion can be drawn from these results?
Q3.The following table shows results from a respirometer experiment. Which statement about the data is true?
Q4.Enzymes work as catalysts because the substrate precisely fits into part of the enzyme molecule called the active site. Scientists use the and key model to describe this precise fit.
Q5.Which of these is the best explanation of why the rate of cellular respiration increases with temperature?
Q6.At 55 °C, the temperature is so high that it breaks bonds in the enzyme molecule, changing its 3D shape. The enzyme is and no longer works.
