Title: Effects of the Change in Temperature to the Operculum Movement of the Fish

Introduction

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of low temperature on the operculum movement of the fish (Angel fishes). Operculum of a bony fish is the hard bony flap covering and protecting the gills. In most fish, the rear edge of the operculum movement roughly marks the division between the head and the body. Counting the operculum movement is a way to calculate respiration rates in fishes. Through counting the operculum movement, students are getting an idea of the fishes' response to an ecological change.

Objective/Problem:

Does the temperature affect the Operculum Movement of the fish?

Hypothesis:Ho : There is no significant effect of the

change in the temperature to the operculum movement of the fish.

HA : There is a significant effect of the change in the temperature to the operculum movement of the fish.

Materials:

3 Liter sets3 thermometers3 Angel FishClock/TimerIceWeighing ScaleWater

Methods:1.The 2 liter sets was filled with 700 ml water.2. The fishes from the plastic bag was gently

transferred to each respective set ups.3. The temperature of each set up was measured.4. The Operculum Movement of each fish in the three

containers was observed and counted.5. After doing the 3rd and 4th methods, a 60g of ice on

container B was placed.6. The temperature of water with ice in container B was

measured again.7. Then, the Operculum Movements of each fish in the

different containers was manually counted.

Results:

Set (with ice)

Temperature

TimeVolume of Water (Tap

Water)

No. of operculum movements

(flaps/ minute)

B 24°C 1 Minute

700 mL 82

Discussion: All organisms experience respiration

differently; lungs, gills, tracheae, and integument are all different structures equipped for making respiration possible. Animals that depend on their environment for body temperature are called ectotherms. Ectotherms are warm blooded organisms that regulate their body temperatures internally, despite their environment. All aquatic ectotherms adapt to their environment in several diverse ways.

After performing the experiment, we did observed the increase of the number of operculum movements of the fish on low temperature. We had a different observation because we already started the timer and counted the flaps of the fish within 1 minute right after putting ice in container B. Then the kind of fish that we used in conducting this laboratory experiment may also vary the result.

Conclusion:

As we perform the experiment step-by-step, we therefore conclude that the number of Operculum Movements in normal temperature is less than the number of Operculum Movements in low temperature (water w/ ice).

Thus, the alternative hypothesis is accepted.

Documentation:

A B

Set-up A without ice

Set-up B with ice

B

References:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operculum_(fish)

• http://cetl.ucdavis.edu/mjguinan/apc100/modules/Respiratory/gill/operculum/operculum1.html

• http://www.interaktv.com/fishanat/operculum.html

Authors:

Dane Shannon M. Bolongaita

Jona Rose C. AmbidHarvey Jay V. Damiao

Keisha Danielle T. Tolentino