Cellular Respiration Interactive Simulation | Life Science | Grades 6–8

This Interactive Simulation has grades 6–8 Middle School Life Science students run a hands-on classroom model of Cellular Respiration.

Driving question: "How does physical exercise affect the rate of cellular respiration and carbon dioxide production in the human body?" Objective: Students will measure and compare the rate of cellular respiration at rest and after increasing durations of physical activity by timing how quickly exhaled carbon dioxide changes the color of a bromothymol blue (BTB) indicator solution.

What's inside: objective and background, a materials list (5 clear plastic cups labeled Condition…; 5 clean drinking straws (one fresh…; Stopwatch or digital timer accurate to…; Graduated cylinder (100 mL) for…), an 8-step protocol, a data table, 4 analysis questions, and teacher notes.

Resource type: Interactive Simulation (.docx). Format: editable Microsoft Word lab handout with approximately 800 words (~5 pages).

Classroom use: a team investigation in a Middle School Life Science course. Grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.