OPERCULUM MOVEMENT

CREENCIA, Candice Marie C.BUCTON, Christie Joy B.MOZAR, Alyssa Michaela L.TREMEDAL, Zianne Maiken A.

“Distinguishing The Effect Of Detergent To The Operculum Movement Of The Fish”

I. INTRODUCTIONII. OBJECTIVE/PROBLEMIII. HYPOTHESISIV. MATERIALS AND METHODSV. RESULTS VI. DISCUSSIONSVII. CONCLUSIONVIII. REFERENCESIX. AUTHORS

Most fish breathe underwater with the help of a special respiratory organs called gills. Gills mediate the gas exchange in fish. It’s made of a series of thin sheets or filaments through which blood circulates. The operculum, a gill-covering flap, covers the gills of bony fishes.

I. INTRODUCTION

As water moves into a fish’s mouth and passes over the gills, dissolved oxygen passes across the thin gill membranes into the blood and carbon dioxide passes out into the water. After the water flows through the gills, it exits the body behind the fish’s operculum.

Will the detergent affect the operculum movement of the fish ?

II. OBJECTIVE/PROBLEM

• Ha- The detergent has a significant effect in the operculum movement of the fish.

• Ho- The detergent has no significant effect in the operculum movement of the fish.

III. HYPOTHESIS

• Liter Set (3)• Thermometer (2) • Detergent • Fish (3)• Timer/watch• Water• Graduated Cylinder

IV. MATERIALS AND METHODS

1. The fishes were placed in a liter set with tap water.

2. After that, the temperature of the water was measured using a mercury thermometer. The operculum movement of the fishes was observed for one minute. The procedure was repeated for Set B and Set C.

3. Different amount of detergent was added in the liter set with tap water. For set A, 5 g. while for Set B, 10 g. and lastly for Set C we leave the water in normal condition. Again, the temperature was measured using a mercury thermometer.

4. The behavior of the fish on the different set ups was observed for 1 minute.

SET Amount of Water

Amount of

Detergent

Temperature Result

Before After

A 800 mL 5 g 29 °C 30 °C The fish reacts violently and its operculum

movement moves faster.

After a minute, the fish

releases blood in its gills.

B 800 mL 10 g 29 °C 30 °C The fish reacts violently and its operculum

movement moves faster.

After a minute, the fish

releases blood in its gills.

C 800 mL 0 29 °C 29 °C Normal

V. RESULTS

It was observed that detergent really affects how the fish breathe. It was also observed that “much amount of detergent added, means rapid movement of the fish’s operculum”.

Detergents can have poisonous effects in all types of aquatic life if they are present in sufficient quantities.

VI. DISCUSSIONS

In Set A, the fish seemed to be frantic because of the 5 g detergent being situated. After a minute, its gills began to produce blood and a sticky substance. While in Set B, the students added 10 g of detergent. After a minute, the fish began to be unsettled, tense than the fish in Set A.

The operculum movement worked faster, in contrast with the other set.

Like what happened to the fish in Set A, The fish in Set B also produced blood and a sticky substance from it’s gills. And in Set C, the student’s leave the water on its normal state.

After a minute of observing, the fish seems to be weary and it’s operculum movement started to shift slower. Afterwards, the fish in Set A and B was dead and was covered by a jelly like mucus. The fish in Set C survived.

Wastewater from laundering agents containing phosphates is known to be a water pollutant because phosphates are a primary nutrient of algae; when it grows in excess, algae can choke a lake or river and draw off needed oxygen from aquatic life.

Therefore, the detergent affect the operculum movement of the fish. The presence of other substances alters the flow of oxygen in the water, which may lead to the suffocation of the fish.

VII. CONCLUSION

• "Gill." Microsoft® Encarta® 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008.

• http://www.biology-resources.com/fish-01.html• http://science.jrank.org/pages/5841/Respiratory-

Sysytem-Respiratory-system-fish.html#ixzz2X8PTRfFa

VIII. REFERENCES

• CREENCIA, Candice Marie C.• BUCTON, Christie Joy B.• MOZAR, Alyssa Michael L.• TREMEDAL, Zianne Maiken A.

IX. AUTHORS

THANK YOU

- END -