How Do You Spell RESPIROMETER?

Pronunciation: [ɹɪspɪɹˈɒmɪtə] (IPA)

The word "respirometer" is often misspelled due to its unique combination of consonants and vowels. The correct spelling is /rɛs pər ɒ mɪ tər/ with the stress on the second syllable. The word is derived from the Greek words "respirare" meaning breathe and "metron" meaning measure, and is used to measure the rate of respiration of living organisms. To remember the spelling, it may be helpful to break the word down into its root words and focus on the order of the letters in each syllable.

RESPIROMETER Meaning and Definition

1. A respirometer is a scientific instrument designed to measure the rate of respiration in living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It is commonly used in physiology, ecology, and environmental science research to study the metabolic activities of organisms and assess their energy expenditure.

   The device typically consists of an airtight chamber or container with a sample of the organism being studied, such as a small plant or an insect larvae. The respirometer measures the changes in gas concentrations, usually oxygen and carbon dioxide, within the container over a specified period of time. By analyzing these gas fluctuations, researchers can calculate the rate of respiration and other respiratory parameters.

   Respirometers employ various methods to monitor gas changes. For instance, one common design involves using a sensitive pressure transducer to detect changes in pressure caused by gas consumption or production within the chamber. Researchers may also use sensors that measure gas concentrations directly or employ colorimetric or titration techniques to analyze gas samples extracted from the chamber.

   Respirometers are invaluable tools in numerous scientific fields. They enable the investigation of respiration rates under different conditions, such as varying temperatures, light intensities, or chemical exposures. Moreover, respirometers provide insights into an organism's energy utilization and efficiency, aiding in ecological and evolutionary studies, as well as in understanding the impact of environmental factors on metabolic processes.

2. An instrument for measuring the extent of the respiratory movements.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for RESPIROMETER

• Resperiometer

Etymology of RESPIROMETER

The word "respirometer" is derived from the Latin roots "respirare", meaning "to breathe", and "metrum", meaning "measure". Hence, the term "respirometer" refers to a device or instrument used to measure respiratory activity, such as the rate and volume of breathing.