Biology B
Effects of Exercise on Homeostasis
Overview:
Homeostasis is a critical process which maintains a stable internal environment among both
simple and complex organisms. Exercise causes many factors of homeostasis to work in order
to maintain homeostasis. Some of these factors can be measured and observed during
exercise including: change in skin color on arms or face, perspiration level, external body
temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate.
Questions:
What mechanisms does the human body use to maintain homeostasis in changing external
environments? How might an organism maintain homeostasis during exercise? How might
respiration, perspiration, heart rate and other body systems change based on exercise activity?
Hypothesis:
Type your hypothesis in the space below. Come up with a testable solution to the questions
asked in the lab activity. Make sure to write your hypothesis in if, then, because format. If I
exersise for a long period of time, then my body will sweat and increase heart rate and breath
rate, because that helps maintain homeostatis
Materials:
● Thermometer (optional)
Directions Part II:
1. Select a test subject that will be able to do jumping jacks or another similar activity well,
and will be able to continue the activity for 8 minutes.
2. The test subject will stop jumping just long enough for the needed measurements and
observations to be collected.
3. Record the resting observations and values of the test subject using the following items
in a data table:
a. Skin color of hands and face (pale, pink, red)
b. Perspiration level (none, mild, medium, high)
c. Optional: body temperature
d. Breathing rate (count the number of breaths in 30 seconds then multiply 2 for 60
second data)
e. Heart rate (find the pulse at the wrist and count the number of beats in 30
seconds then multiply by 2 for 60 second data)
4. Have the test subject begin jumping jacks (or other similar activity) for 2 minutes.
5. At the two minute mark have them stop and take measurements again.
6. Repeat steps 4-5 every 2 minutes until 8 minutes is reached.
7. When the 8 minute mark is up, the subject will rest for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, record
the observations in a data table.
8. Complete the analysis and discussion questions.
Data:
Create a data table for the following:
● Rest, 2 min, 4 min, 6 min, 8 min, cool down
● Skin color of hands and face (pale, pink, red)
● Perspiration level (none, mild, medium, high)
● Optional: body temperature
● Breathing rate (count the number of breaths in 30 seconds then multiply 2 for 60 second
data)
● Heart rate (find the pulse at the wrist and count the number of beats in 30 seconds then
multiply by 2 for 60 second data)
Graph:
Create a graph that displays the data. A few suggested sites include: Create-A-Graph,
Desmos, Google Sheets etc. Be sure to include the following information in your graph:
● Correct graph selection (bar, line, pie etc.)
● Title
● Labeled axes
● Appropriate intervals
● Data
● Units
Analysis/Conclusion:
In a paragraph below, answer the following questions.
● Accept or reject your hypothesis. Yes I do
● Explain your results. My results showed that the body did take those measures
● What changes are your body responding to in order to maintain stable internal
conditions?
● How do the changes help maintain homeostasis?
● Why might increased breathing rate and heart rate accompany exercise?
● Is exercise response a positive or negative feedback loop? Explain.
● How might a system be disrupted if homeostasis is not maintained during exercise?
● Describe how this lab could be modified in the future?
● What experimental errors could have occurred in this lab?
Yes I do accept my hypothesis. My results showed that my body was taking measures to
maintain homeostasis. My body did thing like make me sweat, and increased my heart
rate and breath rate. The heart rate helps get the blood needed to the parts of the body,
the breath rate makes it so the heart can do its job. And sweating helps keep my body
temperature at a good spot. The bodily reactions would be negative feedback because
they are trying to keep the body in the right spot. The body might not get enough blood
so it’s couldn’t do it functions. In the future you could try in different places or longer
exercises. I don’t know of any errors.
