A respirometer is used to measure how much oxygen is used up in respiration by
organisms like small insects or germinating
(sprouting) seeds. The organisms are put in an
airtight container along with soda lime, which
absorbs the carbon dioxide they produce.
When the organisms use up oxygen, the
coloured liquid moves along the ruler scale.
This can be repeated to show the effect of
temperature on the rate of aerobic respiration.