Investigating the effects of... On Pulse and Blood Pressure Designing and Investigation

Prediction/Hypothesis... You need a testable question What effect will smoking have on blood pressure Prediction: Do you think there will be an effect. It is predicted that smoking will affect blood pressure Hypothesis: A prediction of what you think will happen based on research or prior knowledge Based on evidence found in Nelson’s Biology 11, that nicotine in cigarettes causes narrowing of the arteries, it is hypothesized that smoking will cause blood pressure to increase.

Procedure Create a numbered order of steps that anyone would be able to follow. Anyone should be able to pick up your procedure and complete it. Ie: 1 – Have person sit quietly for 1 min. 2 – Using two fingers, take pulse at carotid artery (just beside the Adam’s Apple) by counting the number of beats for 1 min. (Record this in a table) 3 – Have partner expose upper arm. Wrap blood pressure cuff just above the elbow.

Independent and Dependant variable Independent variable: The variable/factor you change (Input variable) Dependant variable: The variable/factor that changes (Outcome variable) 1) What is the independent variable in this experiment? 2) What is the dependant variable in this experiment?

Controlled variables… Which variables will you have to keep constant throughout your experiment? How long you exercise for Where you do the experiment How long you exercise for each time How long you rest between repeats What type of exercise you do each time

Results You need to record your results Will you record them in a table? You will need to graph your results. What are you comparing (Looking at trends)? – Resting position to laying down to standing? – Resting BP to BP after exercise – Resting position to push ups or squats?