The Q-Box RP1LP Low Range Respiration Package provides the user with all of the materials required to measure the metabolic rate of small animals such as mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and other invertebrates in an open-flow or closed-flow gas exchange system.  The Package can even be used for measurements of CO2 and O2 exchange in colonies of fungi and microorganisms.  Open flow measurements are used for measurements of larger, or more metabolically active samples, whereas for measurements of very small changes in pO2 the system is used in a closed-flow configuration in which gases are re-circulated through the system and cumulative O2 consumption is measured over time.

The concentration of CO2 and O2 in the gas that is supplied to the animal chamber or flask is determined using the Q-S151 infrared CO2 gas analyzer and the fuel cell Q-S102 O2 Analyzer.  The gas is pumped at a known flow rate (adjusted by the Q-P651 Gas Pump and Q-G265 Flow Monitor) through the chamber containing the subject material.  The concentration of CO2 and O2 in the outflow gas is determined using the Q-S151 CO2 Analyzer and Q-S102 O2 Analyzer.  Analog signals from all of the sensors are converted to digital signals via two integrated interfaces (6 available channels).  Data are displayed, recorded and manipulated on a PC or Macintosh computer using Logger Pro software. Changes in the concentrations of CO2 and O2 in the outflow gas can be monitored in real time.  Metabolic rate can be calculated from the change in O2 and CO2 and the flow rate.

The Q-Box RP1LP also includes a temperature sensor (S132) which can be placed in the animal chamber to allow investigations into the effect of temperature on metabolic rate, and to correct metabolic rates measured at different temperatures to a standard temperature, assuming a given Q10.

The Q-Box RP1LP Package can be used to investigate animal metabolic responses to exercise, to different diets, to the administration of pharmaceuticals and to various concentrations of O2 and CO2 in the gas supplied to the sample chamber.  Gas mixtures can be supplied via 2 large gas bags (supplied with the system) or, for longer term experiments like hibernation studies, from a compressed gas source.

Other potential applications for this package include measurements of metabolism from aquatic suspensions.  For example, measurement of yeast fermentation in which air or N2 gas is bubbled through a yeast suspension and the outflow gas is analyzed using the Q-S102 O2 Analyzer and Q-S151 CO2 Analyzer.  Air can also be pumped through a soil chamber or a covered petri dish.  In summary, the Q-Box RP1LP can be used to measure the O2 consumption rate and CO2 production rate of virtually any biological system in which these changes in pCO2 and pO2 are in the ranges measured by the analyzers.

The Q-Box RP1LP Low Range Respiration Package Includes:

• Q-P651 Gas Pump (4L/min no load)
• G113 Animal Chamber (1.6x10cm)
• G115 Animal Chamber (3.8x20cm)
• G119 Animal Chamber Accessories Kit
• G122 Large Gas Bags
• Q-G265 Flow Monitor (0-2L/min)
• Q-S102 O2 Analyzer (0-100%)
• S132 Stainless Steel Temperature Probe
• Q-S151 CO2 Analyzer (0-2000ppm) (Includes CO2 and H2O scrubbers)
• C610 two intergrated LabQuest Mini data interfaces
• C901 Logger Pro Software
• C404 Customized Setup Software
• Q-Box Accessory Kit
• Rugged water-proof case housing all analyzers and sensors
• Manual
• individual power supplies for stand alone use of the analyzers and sensors

Optional component:

• A248 Battery Pack and charger (for use in the field)

Sample data with a single caterpillar in an open-flow system:

sample data with a cricket in a closed-flow system:

Q-Box RP1LP software provides calculation templates for VCO2 only with RQ assumptions, and VCO2 and VO2 determinations in an open flow system.

The Q-Box RP1LP Low Range Respiration Package, can easily be adapted to work as Q-Box CO650 Plant CO2 Analysis Package for measurements of photosynthesis, photorespiration and respiration in leaves by purchasing a G112 Flow Through Leaf Chamber, Q-A101 Lab Stand, and the A113 LED Light Source.  For more information on Q-Box RP1LP Low Range Respiration Package please contact Qubit.

The Q-Box RP2LP- High Range Respiration Package can be used to study CO2 and O2 exchange in mammals,  and other animals with higher metabolic rates. 

Cost and animal welfare concerns are two of the greatest impediments to teaching animal physiology effectively. To address these concerns, Qubit Systems has developed inexpensive but extremely accurate sensors and equipment for non-invasive, real-time monitoring of animal gas exchange. Qubit Systems’ gas exchange technology is inexpensive enough for your teaching laboratory, yet it has the sensitivity and accuracy required for many research applications.  Now this package comes in a rugged weather proof case as other Q-Box packages and with the addition of the A248 Battery Pack and Charger it can be used in the field.

The Q-Box RP2LP High Ranges Respiration Package includes:

• Q-P651 Gas Pump (4LPM no load)
• Q-G265 Flow Monitor (2LPM)
• Q-S102 Oxygen Analyzer (0-100%)
• Q-S153 CO2 Analyzer (0-10%) (Includes CO2 and H2O scrubbers)
• G114 Animal Chamber (8.5×20 cm )
• G119 Animal Chamber Accessories Kit
• G122 Large Gas Bags
• S132 Temperature Probe
• G127 T-Piece Assembly
• F250 Flow Meter
• C610 LabQuest Minis data acquisition system (6 channels)
• C901 Logger Pro Software
• C404 Customized Setup Software
• weather proof case houses all of the sensors and analyzers
• Q-Box Accessory kit
• Manual
• A248 Battery Pack and Charger (Optional)

The Q-Box RP2LP Package provides you with all of the materials required to measure the respiration of small animals using an open-flow gas exchange system. The percentage of CO2 and O2 in the air that will be supplied to the animal chamber or flask is determined using the infrared CO2 gas analyzer (Q-S153) and the O2 Analyzer (Q-S102). The air supply is then pumped at a known flow rate through the chamber containing the animal. The percentage of CO2 and O2 in the outflow air is determined .  The software provides calculation page for respiration rate deterinations from the percentage change in O2 and CO2 and the flow rate.

sample data with a hamster:

The Q-Box RP2LP High Range Respiration Package can also be used to investigate metabolic responses of organisms to exercise, to different diets, to the administration of pharmaceuticals or to various concentrations of O2 and CO2 in the air supplied to the chamber or flask. (Gas mixtures can be supplied via a gas bag or, for longer term experiments like hibernation studies, from a tank via a regulator.)

Q-Box RP2LP software provides calculation templates for VCO2 only with RQ assumptions, and VCO2 and VO2 determinations in an open flow system.

If you have the Q-Box RP2LP High Range Respiration Package, you can assemble a complete Q-Box HR1LP Human Respirometry Package by purchasing the Breath Collection Valve Assembly, Spirometer, Face Mask and the Wireless Exercise Heart Rate Monitor.