Homeostasis Lab

For the Homeostasis Lab, groups were asked to design an experiment intended to test and prove the results of homeostasis in a particular body system.

My group had originally decided to focus on eye dilation in response to different stimuli, but we couldn't find a way to accurately measure eye dilation, so we decided to test respiratory rate (in breaths per minute) after a run. We had two participants run 400m and sprint 100m twice each. Before and after each run we recorded resting respiratory rates, then immediately after each run we recorded respiratory rate.

STEM lab write up
Homeostasis Poster

Above is our write up for this lab. It is a more organized version of the information on our poster.

To the left is our poster displaying all of our data and findings over the course of this experiment including graphs.

In both of these you can find an abstract including our objective, design, subject, variables, analysis, results, implications, and key words. You will also find our hypothesis, introduction, procedure, materials, and data/observations.

According to lexico.com, the definition of homeostasis is:

The tendency towards a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.

My group focused on the respiratory system. This consists of and includes:

  • The airway
    • Nose
    • Mouth
    • Pharynx
    • Larynx
    • Trachea
    • Bronchi
    • Bronchioles
  • The lungs
    • Pass oxygen throughout body
    • Pass carbon dioxide out of the body
  • The muscles of respiration
    • Chest muscles
    • Neck muscles
    • Lats/back muscles
    • Abdominal muscles

Reflection

I enjoyed the freedom we were given with this project. We had some pretty interesting results and it was cool to explore this on our own. I think this expanded my collaboration and critical thinking through teamwork and data analysis. My favourite part of this experiment was getting to run. On the contrary, my least favourite part of this experiment was having to run. One low from this project was having to change our topic because eye dilation was not viable, as a result of this, a second low was not having researched respiration in as much detail as we could have for lack of time. Two highs of this project were finding and examining an interesting data point (that being that my breaths per minute decreased from resting after a sprint), and getting to spend time on the track, running and taking data. To conclude, I'll say this was a very fun project and I'd hope we are assigned more like it in the future.

Here are links to my teammates websites: