Name

Date

Block

The Effects of Exercise on Homeostasis Lab

OBJECTIVES:
Students will identify conditions that need to stay constant in order to keep the body in
equilibrium.
Students will describe how organisms maintain stable internal conditions while living in
changing external environments.

MATERIALS:
stopwatch, Vernier LabQuest, Vernier Temperature Probe

BACKGROUND:
Homeostasis refers to the bodys ability to maintain internal conditions (e.g. temperature, pH,
hydration, oxygen level) within a range that is optimal for the continuation of metabolic
processes. When these optimal conditions are disturbed by a change in the environment, body
systems work to return them to normal.

For example, many of the chemical reactions and

cellular processes necessary to sustain human life
occur most readily at a body temperature of
approximately
37.0oC
(98.6oF).
Homeostatic
mechanisms work to maintain this temperature,
regardless of changes in the external environment.
The skin senses changes in temperature. Beneath the
protective epidermal layer of the skin lays the dermis,
which contains sweat and oil glands and a rich blood
supply (Figure 1).

Exercise can disrupt the optimal conditions of the human body. Exercise requires the muscles to
work harder. In order to get the necessary energy for the increased work level, the muscle cells
use up more oxygen to burn off more sugars. Homeostatic mechanisms turn ON in order to
return the body to its normal conditions. You can observe some of these homeostatic mechanisms
in action by measuring certain conditions of the human body:
Change in skin color on arms and face
Perspiration level
External body temperature
Breathing rate
Heart rate

Written By: Naomi Berg 2012

Adapted from Jodie Cohens Homeostasis Activity & Verniers Effect of Vascularity on Skin Temperature Recovery

PRE-LAB NOTES:
1. Working in groups of four, select roles for each group member:
a. ATHLETE This person must be able to do the prescribed task at a moderate to
fast pace for intervals up to 6 minutes. This person will stop just long enough
between intervals for the needed measurements and observations to be collected.
This person must be able to measure his/her pulse.
b. TIMER This person is in charge of the stopwatch, making sure that everyone is
staying on task, and is recording the data.
c. SCIENTIST This person is in charge of measuring the athletes external body
temperature using the Vernier LabQuest as directed by the teacher.
d. DOCTOR This person is in charge of measuring the athletes breathing rate,
perspiration level, and skin color.
2. Practice making the following observations and measurements of the athlete while
he/she is sitting down and resting:
a. Skin Color of Hands and Face (pale, pink, red)
b. Perspiration Level (none, mild, medium, high)
c. External Body Temperature (Ms. Chen will demonstrate how to use the Vernier
temperature probe with the LabQuest.)
d. Breathing Rate (Count the number of breaths in one minute)
e. Heart Rate (Find the pulse at the wrist and count the number of beats in one
minute)

PROCEDURE:
1. Make observations and measurements of the athlete while he/she is sitting down and
resting. Record your observations in the Data Table 1.
2. The athlete should begin exercising when the timer gives the signal and continue to
exercise for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes quickly make all observations and measurements.
Record your observations in the Data Table 1.
3. The athlete will continue exercising at increasing intervals until the 6-minute intervals
has been completed. After each interval observations and measurements should be made
and recorded in the Data Table 1.
4. When the 6 minutes are completed, the athlete will rest for 1 minute, observations and
measurements will be taken for the final time and recorded in the Data Table 1.
5. Make a separate smooth line graph for each of the following:
a. External Body Temperature at Various Intervals of Exercise
b. Breathing Rate at Various Intervals of Exercise
c. Heart Rate at Various Intervals of Exercise
6. Answer the questions in the conclusion section.

Data Table 1.Observations and Measurements During Various Intervals of Exercise

Time Intervals
Body Color
Perspiration
Body
Breathing Rate Heart Rate
(pale, pink, red)
Level (none, mild,
Temperature
(breaths/min)
(beats/min)
medium, high)
(oC)
Rest
2 Minutes
4 Minutes
6 Minutes
Rest 1 Minute
After Exercise

Data Table 2.CLASS Measurements of Body Temperature During Various Intervals of Exercise.
Time
Body Temperature (oC)
Intervals
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Group 7
Rest
2 Minutes
4 Minutes
6 Minutes
Rest After

Data Table 3.CLASS Measurements of Breathing Rate During Various Intervals of Exercise.
Time
Breathing Rate (breaths/min)
Intervals
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Group 7
Rest
2 Minutes
4 Minutes
6 Minutes
Rest After
Data Table 4.CLASS Measurements of Heart Rate During Various Intervals of Exercise.
Time
Heart Rate (beats/min)
Intervals
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Group 7
Rest
2 Minutes
4 Minutes
6 Minutes
Rest After

Graph1.External Body Temperature at Various Intervals of Exercise

Graph 2.Breathing Rate at Various Intervals of Exercise

Graph 3.Heart Rate at Various Intervals of Exercise

Name two sources of error. How would they affect the results?
Possible Source of Error
Effect on Results

ANALYSIS QUESTIONS:
1. A. What happens to a persons external body temperature in response to exercise?
B. Why do you think this change occurs?

2. A. What happens to a persons breathing rate in response to exercise?

B. Why do you think this change occurs?

3. A. What happens to a persons heart rate in response to exercise?

B. Why do you think this change occurs?

4. A. What changes did you observe in body color in response to exercise?

B. Why do you think this change occurs?

5. A. What changes did you observe in perspiration level in response to exercise?

B. Why do you think this change occurs?

6. Your body uses which mechanisms to help maintain a constant internal temperature?

Name
CER Effects of Exercise on Homeostasis

Date

Block

Question: How does exercise affect the human body?

Claim: Write a statement that states how exercise affects the human body.

Evidence: Provide sufficient and appropriate data to support your claim about exercise affects the human
body. (Hint: This section should come from your DATA and class DATA! No interpretation!)

Reasoning: Explain how the data supports your claim about the effects of exercise on the human body
using your knowledge about homeostasis and physiological feedback loops.