The Effect of Ice to the Operculum Movement of the Fish

Group 6

Introduction

Fish breathe through its gills. It mediates the gas exchange in fish and it is located on the sides of the head, made up of gill filaments, feathery structures that provide a large surface for gas exchange. The operculum covers and protects the gills of a fish. The water that contains dissolved oxygen enters the fish’s mouth, and moves its jaws and operculum to pump the incoming water through the gills.

Introduction

The blood inside the capillaries picks up the oxygen when the water passes over the gill filaments. There is a good opportunity for absorption since the water around the gill filaments flows in an opposite direction to the flow of the blood in the capillaries. As the fish breathe its operculum moves, the fish breathe slower in cold water because it has greater dissolved oxygen.

Objective/Problem

This study aims to find out the effect of cold water to the operculum movement of the fish.

Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant effect of ice to the operculum movement of the fish.

Ha: There is a significant effect of ice to the operculum movement of the fish.

Materials

• 3 fishes (same species)• 225g of ice & 75 g of ice• 700ml of water per liter set• 3 liter set• Thermometer• Stop watch

Methods

1. Prepare 3 set ups with the same volume of water (700ml).

2. Carefully place one fish each liter set.

3. Label each liter set with Set A, B & C.

Methods

Set up A: 700ml water with 225g of ice.

Set up B: 700ml water with 75g of ice.Set up C: 700ml water4. Place the thermometer and get the

temperature of each liter set.5. Observe the operculum movement

of the fishes.

Temperature Set up A Set up B Set up C

13 ˚C 20 ˚C 28 ˚C

Results & Discussions Temperature

in ˚C Operculum

movement/min

Operculum movement after 5 min. (OM/min)

Temperature after 15 min.

in ˚C

Operculum movement

after 15 min. (OM/min)

Set up A13˚C 20 3 10˚C 0

Set up B20 ˚C 87 85 20˚C 85

Set up C28˚C 108 108 28˚C 108

Results &Discussions

It was observed that “the lower the temperature the lower operculum movement of the fish”.

Discussions

In set C, the water is warm and has less oxygen dissolved that makes the fish breathe faster. In set B where the temperature is lower than C, the fish breathe slower than in set C.

In set A in 10 ˚C and has greater oxygen dissolved and lowest temperature that makes the fish suffocate because of too much oxygen.

Conclusions

Therefore, the water temperature affects the operculum movement of the fish. The lower the temperature, the slower operculum movement of the fish.

References

• http://science.jrank.org/pages/5841/Respiratory-System-Respiratory-system-fish.html

• http://www.biology-resources.com/fish-01.html

Authors

Angob, Belle Jessa Mae Llmera, JairahSabijon, Angel Lou