Diving Reflex Lab Report

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For this experiment, it is important to be familiar with the diving reflex. The diving reflex is found in all mammals and is mainly focused with the preservation of oxygen. The diving reflex refers to an animal surviving underwater without oxygen. They survive longer underwater than on dry land. In order for animals to remain under water for a longer period of time, they use their stored oxygen, decrease oxygen consumption, use anaerobic metabolism, as well as aquatic respiration (Usenko 2017). As stated by Michael Panneton, the size of oxygen stores in animals will also limit aerobic dive capacity (Panneton 2013). The temperature of the water also plays a role. The colder the water is, the larger the diving reflex of oxygen. The three factors that affect the diving reflex are selective peripheral vasoconstriction, bradycardia, and blood shift. Selective peripheral vasoconstriction is a method used among animals when diving in order to conserve oxygen. It allows the organs with the highest priority to receive …show more content…

After the subjects submerged their faces into 15 and 5 degree water, their heart rates decreased. When the resting heart rate was recorded, it showed a regular heart rate. As shown on the graph, once the subject held their breath, the heart rate increased. It is expected for the heart rate to decrease during apnea because less oxygen is being used meaning your heart is doing less work. Once you breathe again, the heart rate will increase due to homeostasis. When the subject submerged their face in 25 degree water, their heart rate decreased. It did not decrease very much because the water was at room temperature. It decreased more at 15 degrees and even more at 5 degrees. This was expected to happen because the diving reflex took place. The cold water puts the body is oxygen conserving mode and restricts the blood in your extremities. This is what reduces oxygen consumption which eventually lowers the heart

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