Volumetric Plastic Micro Respirometer

Abstract

A simple plastic micro respirometer is described based on a direct reading volumetric principle. The respiration chamber with CO2 absorber is balanced against a compensating chamber through a manometer drilled in Lucite. As oxygen is used it is replaced from a syringe so as to maintain balance with the compensating chamber. The oxygen consumed is read directly on the syringe. Two sizes have been made covering a range of oxygen consumption from 10 mm3 to 10 cc per hour.