This project was about homeostasis which is the balance in the body which regulates bodily functions. For this project, my group had to design an experiment that would test and present the process of the homeostasis of breathing. To do this, my group designed a test which involved 3 subjects, one used as a control, (the other two performing physical activity) to perform physical activity and see the change in breathing rates that came from the activity. The test involved checking breathing rates, running for 30 seconds, and repeating these steps until the subject returned to the original breathing rate. The control subject did not run, as this was to get an idea about how amount of breaths taken when no physical activity is performed. Our results found that due to physical activity, breathing rates will increase quickly, and then after the physical activity, return to normal over a short period of time.
Concepts Homeostasis- the balance in the body which regulates bodily functions Inhalation- the process of inhaling, drawing air into your lungs Exhalation- the process of exhaling, pushing out CO2 from your body Control - something in an experiment which will give always give the same outcome, used for comparison to the variable you are testing, gives the output that is expected in the experiment
Reflection During this lab, I learned many things. One of those things being the complexity of the body and how homeostasis works. In our body, when something changes, for example we exert more energy due to physical activity, many systems need to adapt to the change. More oxygen needs to be brought into the body so breathing increases, blood flow is directed to the muscles, energy is used up, etc. Another thing I learned was how to create and present a scientific article. Although we were one of the first groups to finish we did put off the work load for a while. Another area where I could improve is putting maximum effort and matching the effort and work of my group mates.