2-第二章 生物能量学及其研究方法.ppt

第2章：生物能量学及其研究方法 （4学时） Energy budgets can be defined in a short time period, allowing for quick and reasonably based predictions about the effects of various factors, biotic and abiotic, including diet composition, ration size, and culture conditions. C is the crude energy ingested with food; R is the energy dissipated as heat (metabolic rate); U is the energy losses associated with nitrogenous excretion; F is the energy losses as faeces; P is the energy retained in fish body (production). Most studies on energy metabolism in fish have been performed using indirect calorimetry devices (respirometers) after it was demonstrated that they are more efficient to measure the component R in aquatic animals. 2. Metabolic chamber An aquarium with 18 tanks was built, each tank being provided with individual water inflow and outflow systems. The tanks, of fiberglass, are cylindric-conical and have a capacity of 50l (12 tanks) or 18l (6 tanks). All the tanks are covered with a transparent, hermetically closed, plexiglass lid that allows light to enter but prevents, as far as possible, gas exchanges. The lid has two holes, one connected to the water inlet and the other, provided with a removable cap, for food delivery. Each water inflow pipe has a stopcock for the regulation of the input flow to the corresponding tank. An in-line flow meter permanently displays the actual flow rate to each tank. The internal tank shape was planned for a quick fish-faeces recovery in a special plastic bottle, screwed into the tank bottom. The faeces are trapped by settling and, later, concentrated by centrifugation in the same bottles (Fig. 2). Tanks drain through a PVC pipe (25 mm inner diameter). From each drainage pipe, a gas-impermeable plastic tube (7 mm inner diameter) conducts water outflow to the measurement system. These tubes are provided with taps that allow their disconnection and washing to avoid algal growth. Tanks form a closed circuit in which outflowing water passes to a