The Measurement of Gas Exchange in Blue Gouramis Author: Chris Bryson, Peter Esselman The purpose of this lab experiment was to observe and measure the effect of depleting oxygen content in water on the opercular beats and on the gulp trips of Trichogaster trichopterus. Oxygen is an essential element in the daily lives of most organisms. A continuous supply of oxygen is needed for all organisms for cellular respiration---the process that produces energy (ATP) needed for all body functions or activities (Campbell 1997). Different organisms obtain oxygen from different respiratory mediums. Terrestrial organisms obtain oxygen from the earth