![]() The reduction of gas volume in a closed chamber, as a result of oxygen utilization by the animal, causes an electrolyte to rise up an anode in the chamber. In recent years Capraro (1953), Swaby and Passey (1953), Macfadyen (1955) and Winteringham (1959) have described electrolytic respirometers which use only a single electrode system. Several workers have described electrolytic respirometers. The limit as regards the duration of operation will be set by the saturation time of the carbon dioxide absorber. The principle of using electrolysis to replace the oxygen respired by the organism enables the oxygen to be maintained at atmospheric level. However, they are unsuitable for long-term experiments, since their operation entails a declining oxygen level. Differential manometers, such as that devised by Barcroft, have been extensively used in short-term experiments on respiratory rates. This constitutes the principle of the differential manometer. By connecting this open side of the capillary to a compensating chamber of equal volume the measurements can be made independent of changes of pressure and temperature. ![]() Since the other end of the capillary is open, the measurements will be dependent on the external pressure. Provided that the capillary bore is uniform, and the temperature and external pressure remain constant, the rate of rise of fluid in the capillary bears a direct relation to the rate of oxygen consumption by the animal. ![]() This causes a rise in the level of fluid in the arm of the capillary connected to the chamber. As oxygen is utilized, the pressure of the chamber being maintained constant, the volume of gas within the chamber falls. The carbon dioxide evolved by the organism is absorbed by alkali. The organism is contained in a closed chamber connected to a U-shaped capillary containing a fluid. The principle of the constant-pressure manometer offers a simple method for determining respiratory rates. ![]()
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