THE RATE OF OPERCULUM MOVEMENT OF THE

FISHES AND ITS BEHAVIOR IN DIFFERENT

TEMPERATUREBy:

Serna, Ben Jerome V.Bucton, Christine Belle B.

FishThe term fish is used to refer to any aquatic

vertebrate that has a skin covered with scales, two sets of paired fins, some unpaired fins, and a set of gills.

BreathingOxygen dissolved in the water is absorbed by the

gills. The movements of the mouth floor and operculum are co-ordinated to produce a stream of water, in through the mouth, over the gills and out of the operculum.

The mechanism for pumping water over the gills seems to vary in detail according to the type of fish but, in general, the pressure in the mouth cavity is reduced by the floor of the mouth being lowered. Sometimes the bony operculum is moved outwards as well, assisting the increase in volume.

In either case the free edge of the operculum acts as a valve, being pressed against the body wall by the higher outside pressure and so preventing water from entering through the opercular opening. Thus, water enters through the mouth to equalize the pressure. Next, the volume of the mouth cavity is reduced and the pressure increased by raising the floor of the mouth. A valve inside the mouth, formed by an inturned fold of skin, prevents water from leaving the mouth. The increased pressure forces open the operculum and expels the water through the opercular opening, causing it to pass between the gill filaments as it leaves.

This Figure shows how water passes through the Gills of a Fish.

Objective:To determine whether

the temperature of the water affects the rate of operculum movement and the behavior of the fishes.

Problem:Is their a relationship between the

rate of operculum movement of the fishes and its behavior in different temperature?

HypothesesHo: There is no significant

relationship between the rate of operculum movement of the fish and the behavior of the fishes with the temperature of the water

Ha: There is a significant relationship between the rate of operculum movement of the fish and the behavior of the fishes with the temperature of the water.

Materials:

• 2 1000mL Beakers• 2 Gold Fish with almost the same size• Thermometer• Timer• 200 g of Ice

Methodology:1. Two 1000mL beakers(container) were

labeled A and B.2. 1000 mL of water was poured on each

of the container.3. Set up B was placed with 200g ice.4. The temperature of water in Set Up A

was measured. Same thing for Set up B.5. The fishes were put in each container.6. The operculum movement of the fishes

was observed carefully for at least 1 minute.

7. The observed data were recorded.

Results:

Amount of water

Temperature

Flops/ minut

eBehav

ior

CONTAINER A 1000

mL 28 C 150Brisk, Alert, Energetic

CONTAINER B

1000 mL 17 C 71

Calm, Peaceful, Tranquil

Discussions:The Researchers found out that the fish in Container A which had normal room temperature of water (28 C) tend to have an energetic and lively actions. Whilst, the fish in Container B which had a low temperature of water (17 C) show signs of Relaxation and Tranquility. But after some time though it showed unusual tenacity, the fish in Container B showed energy even rivaling the energy of the fish Container A.

But in most cases, Fishes tend to relax while under Low Temperate Water because of the slowing down of its metabolic rate(the speed at which machinery of the body operates). That is why fishes in hot temperate water tend to move fast that those fishes who live in the cold parts of the oceans.

This Video shows what most cases should appear to be:

This video however shows what baffled the researchers:

ConclusionIt can be concluded that, there is a

significant relationship between the rate of operculum movement of the fish and the behavior of the fishes with the temperature of the water. Because of the slowing down of the rate of metabolism of the fish in cold water.

Resources:http://www.biology-resources.com/fish-01.htmlhttp://animals.about.com/od/f/g/fish.htmhttp://www.shunpiking.com/winter/NH-afast.htm