Pulse Rate Graph Lab Worksheet
NYS Regents Life Science: Biology Lab Skills: Graphing Standards & Homeostasis
Exercise Duration & Pulse Elevation Lab
NYS "Making Connections" Aligned
Student Name:
Partner:
Period:
Date:
1
Physiological Context & Normalized Data
During physical exertion, contracting muscle cells require accelerated blood flow to deliver vital oxygen and glucose while removing metabolic carbon dioxide. The heart pumps faster to meet this demand. Because resting pulse rates vary widely between individuals due to fitness and genetics, comparing raw exercise beats per minute introduces confounding variables. Calculating the difference from resting pulse rate (\(\Delta\text{Pulse Rate} = \text{Exercise Pulse} - \text{Resting Pulse}\)) normalizes data, isolating the precise cardiovascular elevation caused by exercise.
2
Regents Graphing Standards: The 5 Non-Negotiable Rules
Scoring Rubric Core
Rule 1: Axis Placement (DRY MIX)
Dependent / Responding variable goes on the Y-axis (vertical).
Manipulated / Independent variable goes on the X-axis (horizontal).
Always write unit of measure in parentheses!
Rule 2: Uniform Scale Intervals
Grid lines must count by equal, constant mathematical steps (e.g., 0, 5, 10, 15...). The scale must span >50% of the grid.
⚠ Never copy data table values directly onto axes!
Rule 3: Encircle Points & Connect
Plot each coordinate accurately and encircle each point: ⊙ so examiners can locate it under pencil lines.
Connect dot-to-dot; do not extrapolate beyond data!
3
Student Data Collection Table
Subject Resting Baseline:
\(\text{bpm}\)
| Exercise Duration (min) | Raw 20-Sec Beats | Exercise Pulse (\(\text{bpm} = \text{beats} \times 3\)) | Difference from Resting (\(\text{bpm}\))
(\(\text{Exercise Pulse} - \text{Resting Pulse}\)) | Class Mean \(\Delta\text{bpm}\) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 0 (Resting Baseline) | baseline | [Resting Rate] | 0 \(\text{bpm}\) | 0 \(\text{bpm}\) |
| 1.0 minute | | | | |
| 2.0 minutes | | | | |
| 3.0 minutes | | | | |
| 4.0 minutes | | | | |
| 5.0 minutes | | | | |
4
Pre-Graphing Planning & Scale Setup
Step 1: Variables & Units
Independent Variable (X-axis) & Unit:
Dependent Variable (Y-axis) & Unit:
Step 2: Scale Calculations
X-Axis Scale (Range: 0 to 5 min across 20 blocks):
Each grid line counts by:
min
Y-Axis Scale (Range: 0 to max \(\Delta\text{bpm}\) across 20 blocks):
Each grid line counts by:
\(\text{bpm}\)
Graphing Checklist: □ Title relates IV & DV □ Labeled axes with units □ Uniform scales □ Points circled ⊙ □ Connected dot-to-dot
Turn page to plot coordinate grid and answer Regents synthesis questions → Page 1 of 2
Part 5: Graph Construction
Line Graph: Exercise Duration vs. Difference from Resting Pulse Rate
Encircle each plotted point: ⊙
Graph Title:
Difference from Resting Pulse Rate (\(\text{bpm}\))
0
Exercise Duration (minutes)
6
Post-Graphing Regents Analysis & Homeostatic Reasoning
1. Describe the relationship shown on your graph between exercise duration and the difference between exercise and resting pulse rate.
2. Explain why analyzing the difference from resting pulse rate provides a more scientifically valid comparison between classmates than comparing raw exercise pulse rates alone.
3. Using your graph, interpolate and predict the difference between exercise and resting pulse rate if the subject had exercised for 2.5 minutes. (Show your work with a dashed line on the grid.)
Predicted \(\Delta\text{Pulse Rate}\) at 2.5 min:
(Include proper units)
4. State two controlled variables that had to be held constant during all five minutes of testing to ensure valid, reliable data. Explain how failing to control one of them would affect the measured pulse rate.
Controlled Variable 1:
Controlled Variable 2:
Impact if Uncontrolled:
5. Predict what numerical value the difference from resting pulse rate will approach 15 minutes after exercise ends. State the biological term for maintaining this balanced internal stability.
Expected \(\Delta\text{bpm}\):
Regulatory Term:
NYS Regents Life Science: Biology • Laboratory Skills & Homeostasis Page 2 of 2
