Respirometer
Respirometer - Related Videos
09:53
High-Resolution Respirometry to Assess Bioenergetics in Cells and Tissues Using Chamber- and Plate-Based Respirometers
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Cited by 9 •
2021
Assessing oxidative phosphorylation using high-resolution respirometers has become an integral part of the functional analysis of mitochondria and cellular energy metabolism. Here, we present protocols for the analysis of cellular energy metabolism using chamber and microplate-based high-resolution respirometers and discuss the key benefits of each device.
08:43
Aerobic Biodegradation Testing of Materials Using a Natural Marine Seawater Inoculum and Closed Loop Respirometer
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2025
The protocol describes standard operating procedure for testing potentially biodegradable materials both synthetic and natural under aerobic conditions using a natural seawater inoculum and automated closed loop respirometry system.
04:31
Measurement of Metabolic Rate in Drosophila using Respirometry
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Cited by 49 •
2014
Metabolic disorders are among one of the most common diseases in humans. The genetically tractable model organism D. melanogaster can be used to identify novel genes that regulate metabolism. This paper describes a relatively simple method which allows studying the metabolic rate in flies by measuring their CO2 production.
05:00
Cellular Respiration - Concepts
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2019
Autotrophs and Heterotrophs Living organisms require a continuous input of energy to maintain cellular and organismal functions such as growth, repair, movement, defense, and reproduction. Cells can only use chemical energy to fuel their functions, therefore they need to harvest energy from chemical bonds of biomolecules, such as sugars and lipids. Autotrophic organisms, namely plants, algae, and photosynthetic and chemosynthetic bacteria, convert inorganic materials into such biomolecules by...
05:44
Cellular Respiration - Student Protocol
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2019
Quantifying Respiration using Microrespirometers ExpandNOTE: In this experiment, you will measure the rate of cellular respiration for germinating seeds by measuring the rate of exchange for oxygen. As oxygen is consumed to provide energy, germinating seeds release carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide is absorbed by potassium carbonate and thus the overall gaseous pressure of the respirometer will be reduced. HYPOTHESES: The experimental hypothesis is that germinating seeds will show a greater...
FAQs
As an organism consumes oxygen in a closed chamber, the gas volume decreases or the internal pressure falls. When carbon dioxide produced during respiration is absorbed, the measured change mainly reflects oxygen uptake rather than a simultaneous increase in carbon dioxide. A faster pressure or volume change therefore indicates a higher rate of aerobic respiration under the tested conditions.
Soda lime absorbs the carbon dioxide released by the organism or tissue during aerobic respiration. This prevents produced carbon dioxide from offsetting the reduction in gas volume caused by oxygen consumption. The resulting pressure or volume change becomes easier to interpret as oxygen uptake, allowing researchers to compare respiration rates between biological samples or experimental conditions.
Temperature, activity level, and substrate availability can influence the respiration rate recorded by the instrument. Changing one of these conditions while keeping the measurement system controlled allows researchers to examine its effect on oxygen consumption. Comparisons between conditions can reveal differences in metabolic activity and indicate how environmental or biological factors influence energy use.
A biological sample is placed in a closed respirometer, and carbon dioxide absorption is provided when the experiment requires it. The instrument then tracks gas pressure or volume over time while the sample remains under the selected conditions. Comparing the resulting change between samples or treatments provides an estimate of relative or quantified aerobic respiration.
Researchers can place comparable samples in respirometers and measure their oxygen uptake under controlled conditions. Germinating seeds, small invertebrates, and microorganisms may show different rates of gas change because their metabolic activity differs. Standardized measurements allow investigators to compare respiration across these biological materials and identify which sample uses energy more rapidly.
The instrument provides evidence of oxygen consumption and can be used to quantify respiration rate or energy use. Measurements collected under different temperatures, activity levels, or substrate conditions help connect metabolic output with experimental variables. In biology, this supports investigations of how organisms and tissues use energy during aerobic respiration.