Carbon dioxide is released during respiration. explain with the help of an activity
Answers
Experiment:
Objective:
To show experimentally that carbon dioxide is released during respiration.
Apparatus and Materials Required:
A conical flask, a beaker, a cork with a hole, a glass tube bent at right angles at two places, a small test tube, KOH solution, thread, coloured water.
Vaseline and germinating seeds of gram or pea.
Theory:
Respiration is a catabolic process which involves the breakdown of food or complex organic molecules into simpler products, with the release of energy. This process can take place either in the presence of oxygen (aerobic respiration) or in its absence (anaerobic respiration).
The overall reaction mechanism of aerobic respiration involves the oxidation of carbohydrate and the subsequent production of CO2, H2O and energy.
C6H12O6+6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
Procedure:
1. Take the conical flask and place some germinating gram or pea seeds in it.
2. Insert the shorter end of the glass tube through the hole in the cork and fix it on the conical flask.
3. Before fixing the cork, hang a test tube containing KOH solution inside the conical flask with the help of a thread.
4. Take coloured water in the beaker and keep the longer end of the glass tube dipped inside it.
5. Make the conical flask airtight by applying Vaseline on its rim.
6. Note the initial level of water in the tube.
7. Observe and note the rise in the water level after an hour, without disturbing the apparatus.
Observations:
Experiment to Show that CO2 is Releaed During Respiration
Water level rises up in the bent tube.
Result:
The rise in the level of water indicates that CO2 is produced by germinating seeds during respiration. Actually, the germinating seeds respire and produce CO2, which is absorbed by KOH solution. This creates a vacuum in the conical flask. The air present in the bent glass tube moves into the conical flask. This pulls the water in the bent tube further up.
Aim
To experimentally demonstrate that carbon dioxide is released during the process of respiration.
Principle/Theory
The process of respiration is biochemically carried out wherein food, glucose to be precise is oxidized and energy is released. In this experiment, gram seeds (moistened) are used. The purpose of using these seeds is that they release carbon dioxide and are respiring actively. The released carbon dioxide is consumed by the solution of KOH.
Material RequiredSoaked gram seedsU-shaped delivery tubeConical flaskBlotting paper (moist) /cotton woolThreadWaterBeakerTest tubeRubber cork with a single holeFreshly prepared KOH solution (20%)VaselineProcedureGerminate close to 25 seeds. This can be done by wrapping them in moist blotting paper or cotton wool for around 3 to 4 daysSet up the germinated or sprouted seeds in the conical flask. Spray some water into the flask to dampen the seedsWith the help of a thread, suspend the conical flask containing the test tube having a freshly prepared 20% KOH solution.Use the rubber cork to seal the opening of the conical flask.One edge of the U-shaped glass delivery tube present in the conical flask should be inserted through the hole in the rubber cork. The other edge should be placed into a beaker that is saturated with waterAll attachments of the set-up should be sealed. This can be done using vaseline to create an air-tight environmentThe initial water level present in the U-shaped delivery tube needs to be marked.Leave the experimental set-up uninterrupted for 1 to 2 hours. Observe the fluctuations in the water level in the tube.Observation
Careful observation after a certain period of time reveals that the water level in the U-shaped delivery tube has risen in the beaker.
Conclusions
The rise in level water indicates that carbon dioxide is released as a result of germinating gram seeds during the process of respiration in the conical flask. The carbon dioxide that is released in the process is absorbed or consumed by the KOH solution that is suspended in the test tube in the conical flask, creating a vacuum or a void in the flask resulting in the upward water movement in the tube. Hence, the water level in the tube changes.
Precautions
The seeds that are to be germinated needs to be moistenedAir-tight environment for all the connections in the experimental set-upThe KOH solution that is used needs to be freshly preparedCare needs to be taken to ensure that one end of the delivery tube is placed in the conical flask. The other edge is submerged in the water of the beakerThe tube that contains the KOH solution needs to be suspended carefully