Respiration of maggots: results

The energy produced by the maggots in the respiration process should not produce undue heating in this setup, the temperature remaining constant to within 1.5 °C.

It can be seen from Figure 2 that the oxygen level, after a small initial rise, makes a steady fall over the 24 hours showing the effects of the respiration of the maggots.

Figure 2: graphs of oxygen level and temperature with time

Teachers’ notes

Safety issues:
Ensure that the DrDAQ data logger does not come into contact with the water.

Target age groups:
Ages 9–19 (Key Stage levels 3–5)

National curriculum:
Whilst maggots are obviously not human beings, the process or aerobic respiration can be clearly indicated by the reduction in oxygen level (indicated by the oxygen probe) over time in this activity. KS3 Sc2 life processes and living things. Humans as living organisms. Respiration. 2j that aerobic respiration involves a reaction in cells between oxygen and food, in which glucose is broken down into carbon dioxide and water. 2k to summarise aeropbic respiration in a word equation. KS4 Sc2 Life processes and living things. Humans as organisms. Respiration. 2e that respiration may be either aerobic or anaerobic, depending on the availability of oxygen.