The effect of temperature on cellular respiration in small organisms: practical
I can use a simple respirometer to investigate the effect of temperature on cellular respiration in small living organisms.
The effect of temperature on cellular respiration in small organisms: practical
I can use a simple respirometer to investigate the effect of temperature on cellular respiration in small living organisms.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Effect of temperature on aerobic cellular respiration investigated in small living organisms (e.g. germinating peas).
- The oxygen used by the respiring organisms in a set time can be measured using a simple respirometer.
- Identifying independent and dependent variables, and variables to control to increase the validity of the results.
- The height of coloured liquid in the capillary tube of the respirometer is measured at the start & end of the set time.
- Collecting repeat measurements at each temperature, and collecting data at different temperatures.
Keywords
Aerobic - A process that requires oxygen.
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.
Independent variable - The factor that we change in an experiment.
Dependent variable - The factor that we measure in an experiment.
Common misconception
That small organisms and plants don't respire (only humans and other large animals).
This lesson demonstrates experimentally that small organisms respire.
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: The effect of temperature on cellular respiration in small organisms: practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: The effect of temperature on cellular respiration in small organisms: practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Boiling tubes, small living organisms, cotton wool, soda lime, bungs, capillary tubes, dye, water bath, marker pen, ruler, timer.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions




aerobic cellular respiration -
respiration that requires oxygen
anaerobic cellular respiration -
respiration that does not require oxygen
cellular respiration -
chemical process that transfers energy from glucose for life processes
dependent variable -
the variable being tested or measured during an experiment
independent variable -
the variable that is altered during an experiment
respirometer -
apparatus used to measure the rate of respiration