Pressure effects on metabolism in tissues from mice (Mus muscalis) and freshwater mussel (Elliptio complanata).

Metabolic rates of tissue sections from freshwater mussel gills and mouse brain and lung tissue were measured by calorimetry in ampules pressurized with gas mixtures. Increasing partial pressure of oxygen or total pressure with constant partial pressure of O2 does not affect the respiratory quotient but increases rates of tissue metabolism. Changes in metabolic activity occur over pressure and Po2 ranges commonly encountered by humans engaged in SCUBA diving.