BIOLOGY 103 FALL, 2000 LAB 5

Jill McCain and Alexis Hilts

Our hypothesis was that heart rate and breathing pattern are related to amount of energy being spent. We measured resting heart rate, heart pressure, breathing rate and breathing volume and we took the same measurements for after jogging.

We found that all four measurements increased with work. Breathing rate, though, was affected less than heart rate was.

For the first experiment, the resting heart rate was 15 beats per 10 seconds. The working heart rate was 21 beats in 10 seconds. The heart pressure went from an average of .0216 volts to .1454 volts. The breathing rate went from 6 breaths in 30 seconds to 8 breaths in the same amount of time. The breathing volume went from 0.15 liters to 0.24 liters.

For the second experiment, we were only able to test breathing rates and volume due to equipment complications. The breathing rate went from 6 breaths in 30 seconds to 10 breaths in 30 seconds. The breathing volume went from 0.17 liters to 0.61 liters.

For the third experiment we again only measured breathing rate and volume. For this experiment, we went outside and rested in order to evaluate the effects of fresh air on expenditure of energy. The breathing rate went from 6 in 30 seconds to 8 in the same time. The breathing volume went from 0.17 liters to 0.19 liters. This could have also been affected by the energy spent walking form outside to inside.

Adria Robbin and Elizabeth Paluska

Respiration and Pulse Lab:

Hypothesis: heart rate and breathing patterns are directly related to energy expenditure. Therefore, we compared pulse amplitude, and respiration amplitude. We used resting rates for each as our control, and different levels of exercise intensity. We think, that with increase in energy expenditure, there is an increase in the heart rate and the respiration rate.

Observations/Conclusions:

We found that after doing these experiments, our observations support our hypothesis. As we increased our level of exercise, our heart rates (pulse) and respiratory rates increased.

Susy Jones and Katie Gallagher

The Question: How is energy expenditure related to heart and lung functions?

Hypothesis: Heart rate and pressure, as well as breathing patterns, are directly related to energy expenditure.

Observations:

We measured Susy at rest. Her heart rate was 74 beats/minute and pumped an average of 0.209 L/beat. She breathed 12 times/minute and breathed an average of 0.136 L/breath. After one minute of exercise (running up & down the stairs), her heart rate was 98 beats/minute and pumped an average of 0.168 L/beat. She breathed 9 times/minute and breathed an average of 0.664 L/breath.

We measured Katie at rest. Her heart rate was 104 beats/minute and pumped an average of 0.400 L/beat. She breathed 12 times/minute and breathed an average of 0.105 L/breath. After one minute of exercise (running up & down the stairs), her heart rate was 150 beats/minute and pumped an average of 0.418 L/beat. She breathed 20 times/minute and breathed an average of 0.336 L/breath.

Conclusions:

Our observations indicate that heart and breathing rates increase with energy expenditure. The breathing volume also increases. However, the volume of blood pumped by Susy's heart per beat went down, while the volume of blood pumped by Katie's heart per beat stayed about the same, so we are unable to draw any conclusions about this aspect at this time. In general, our data indicates that there is a correlation between heart and lung function and energy expenditure.

Katie Kaczmarek and Rachel Hochberg

Our hypothesis was that thinking expends energy that can be observed as changes in breathing and heart rate. To test this, we tested the sterotypical reactions of thinking of one's love interest (i.e. heart pounding, lightheaded due to shallow breathing). We took control measurements of breathing an average of .155L with a rate of 12 breaths per minute. Her heart rate was 66 beats per minute and the volume was on average .1239V. When she thought about her love interest, her breathing was .332L with a rate of 18 breaths per minute, while her heart rate was 66 beats per minute with an average volume of .175V. Because the breathing changed in volume and rate and the volume of blood changed, we found that energy is expended.

Jessica Hayes-Conroy, Allison Hayes-Conroy, and Jeanne Braha

Jeff asked us what we thought would happen in our bodies when we expend energy by increasing our activity level. We hypothesized that the rate and amplitude of our heart beat and respiration would go up as we expended more energy.

In order to test this, we took measurements of our heart beat and respiration during three different periods of activity: at rest, after walking up and down two flights of stairs, and after running up and down two flights of stairs. Then we used the software superscope to find the rates and amplitudes.

Our data did not consistently support our hypothesis. Jessica's heart rate increased as her activity level increased, as did Allison's respiration amplitude. All the other data went back and forth. This could be due to a number of different sources of error. The equipment is incredibly sensitive and we had trouble holding our hands still to take an accurate pulse. Also, as Jeff mentioned, watching the pulse and breathing data unfold on the screen can effect the results. It is impossible to breathe "naturally" when you are breathing through a tube and are conscious of trying to breathe normally.

Clare Lindner, Sarah Naimzadeh, and Naomi Lim

Question:

Hypothesis:

Results:

Resting