Which scientific instrument listed below is specifically used to measure oxygen consumption, for example in studies of respiration or metabolic activity?

Introduction / Context:
In biology and physiology, researchers often need to measure how much oxygen an organism or tissue consumes over time. This is important for understanding metabolic rate, respiration, and the effects of environmental changes. There are specialised instruments designed for this purpose. This general knowledge question asks you to identify which instrument is used to measure oxygen consumption, which is central to many experiments in life sciences.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The problem focuses on an instrument that measures oxygen or oxygen consumption.
• Several instrument names are given, but only one is well known in biology for this task.
• The options are Aminometer, Respirometer, Thaleometer, and Galiometer.
• Only one option correctly names the standard instrument used in respiration experiments.

Concept / Approach:
A respirometer is a device that measures the rate of respiration by detecting changes in gas volume or gas concentration, especially oxygen, in a closed or semi closed system. It is used in experiments with germinating seeds, small animals, or tissue samples to determine how quickly they use oxygen and sometimes how much carbon dioxide they produce. The other instrument names given in the options do not correspond to standard tools for measuring oxygen consumption in basic biological experiments.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the term respiration is linked to oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Step 2: Note the word root in Respirometer, which clearly suggests an instrument related to measuring respiration. Step 3: Connect this to experiments where respirometers track how quickly oxygen is taken up from a chamber containing an organism. Step 4: Recognise that the names Aminometer, Thaleometer, and Galiometer are not standard instruments for this purpose in basic biological studies. Step 5: Choose Respirometer as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
In school and college laboratory manuals, you will find experiments titled measurement of rate of respiration using a respirometer. The procedure often involves placing an organism in a sealed container, absorbing carbon dioxide with a chemical such as potassium hydroxide, and measuring the resulting movement of a fluid column as oxygen is consumed. This reinforces that a respirometer is indeed the instrument that directly relates to oxygen consumption measurement.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Aminometer, Thaleometer, and Galiometer do not correspond to widely recognised instruments for measuring oxygen consumption in standard biology curricula. They may sound scientific but are not associated with the specific function described in the question. Selecting any of these would show confusion between instrument names and their actual uses.

Common Pitfalls:
An exam taker may be tempted to choose an unfamiliar but technical sounding option, assuming it refers to a more advanced instrument. Another pitfall is failing to recognise the root word in Respirometer that links it to respiration. To avoid these mistakes, it helps to remember common laboratory instruments and the key terms that appear in their names, such as thermo for temperature, baro for pressure, and respiro for respiration.

Final Answer:
The instrument used to measure oxygen consumption in respiration studies is the Respirometer.