AP Biology Cell Respiration Inquiry Lab

The AP biology class carried out a study of the rate of respiration in germinating seeds. In the basic protocol they soaked "wrinkled pea seeds" for 48 hours and compared their respiration rate to the control of "glass beads". The students used either Vernier carbon dioxide gas probes or Vernier gas pressure probes to measure the release of respiratory gases. After the initial run, the students compared rates in different seeds of their choice (barley, kidney beans, corn, black eyed peas) at different temperatures (in ice baths and at room temperature). They even compared seed of varying ages (48 and 92 hours).