Final answer:
To calculate the rate of oxygen uptake by snails, measurements needed include the initial and final oxygen volumes, the mass of the snails, and the time duration of the experiment. Corrections for CO2 production should also be considered.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the rate of oxygen uptake by the snails in millimeters cubed per gram per hour (mm3 g-1 h-1), you will need the following measurements:
- The initial volume of oxygen before the start of the experiment.
- The final volume of oxygen after a given time period.
- The mass of the snails being studied.
- The duration of the experiment in hours.
Using the formula:
Oxygen Uptake Rate = (Initial Oxygen Volume - Final Oxygen Volume) / (Mass of Snails * Time)
This will give you the rate of oxygen consumption by the snails. When collecting data, make sure to adjust the volume of oxygen to account for changes due to carbon dioxide production, as organisms release CO2 when they take in O2. An accurate respirometer setup, such as the one described in the experiment with mice, would help ensure correct measurements by detecting these changes in gas volume.