Hira
My plan
I will study the effects of ethanol and caffeine on the water flea to analyse the change in
heart rate. The experiment uses daphnia and tests the effects of ethanol and caffeine on
their heartbeats. My independent variable is different concentrations of chemicals, and my
dependent variable is the change in heart rate. My hypothesis is that the effect of the same
concentration of ethanol and caffeine on the heart rate of different types of water fleas is
similar. The null hypothesis is that the effect of the same chemical concentration on each
Daphnia is completely different. I plan to do this experiment in my college lab because it
seems like a suitable place for my tests since all the equipment is readily available. I will do
the experiment with the schedules I have for the experiment and if I need more time I will
do the rest of the free time during college and I will do it during the whole week because if I
need more time I will repeat the test to obtain more reliable results.
Materials:
Electric Microscope and Cavity Slides
distilled water
Daphnias of the same size from the same environment
Ethanol 5%,
Caffeine 0.5%
Pipette
Syringe
Petri dishes
Stopwatch
Absorbing cloth or tissue
Marker
Logbook
Pen/Pencil
Thermometers 2x
Phone for video recording
To begin, I will select five water fleas of identical size and transfer them individually into
separate petri dishes containing distilled water at the same temperature. To keep track of
each dish, I will label them with a marker. Subsequently, I will prepare my microscope,
refraining from turning on the light at this stage to avoid any potential temperature
fluctuations that could affect the accuracy of the experiment.
Once the setup is complete, I will commence the experiment by extracting a daphnia from
the first dish using a pipette. Placing it in an empty petri dish, I will then attempt to gently
secure the daphnia with a syringe and position it onto a cavity slide. It is crucial to minimize
, the amount of water accompanying the daphnia to prevent excessive movement. Therefore,
I will strive to confine the daphnia within a single water droplet, ensuring its survival while
immobilizing it.
After positioning the slide beneath the microscope and activating the light source, I will
carefully adjust the microscope settings to ensure a clear and focused view of the daphnia.
Once the image is satisfactory, my attention will shift towards locating the daphnia's heart.
To count the heartbeats, I will use a paper and marker, tapping the paper each time the
heart beats for 15 seconds. After counting, I will multiply the number of dots on the paper
by four to get the heart rate per minute, recording the result and repeating the process at
least three times for an average heart rate. This will be done for all water fleas, resulting in a
table of results that can be used to plot a graph. To prevent further heating caused by the
light, I will turn off the microscope after each count.
Before proceeding with the experiment, it is essential to evaluate the safety and efficiency of
the equipment to be used. This preliminary step ensures the accuracy and reliability of the
measurements, as well as the protection of the daphnia and prevention of any potential
injuries.
To compare the impact of ethanol on the heartbeat, the experiment will be conducted first
with water only and then with ethanol. This will enable a clear comparison of the differences
ethanol makes on the heartbeat. To avoid contamination and enhance the precision of the
results, the same steps will be repeated with different daphnia in separate containers to test
the effect of caffeine.
The accuracy of the results is heavily reliant on the proper utilization of the equipment.
Therefore, it is crucial to acquire knowledge and practice techniques for using transects,
quadrats, and callipers. By doing so, the chances of systematic error can be minimized,
leading to more accurate and reliable outcomes.
To ensure successful practical investigations, meticulous planning is crucial. Therefore, I have
meticulously crafted a comprehensive schedule and methodology in advance. My research
has equipped me with the necessary expertise to develop a dependable and fitting
approach. Additionally, my literature review has enabled me to evaluate various scientific
methods and determine the most suitable one for my experiment.
The table below is the risk assessment for my experiment:
Apparatu hazard Who is Risk Prevention Remedy
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