Oxygen consumption is a key indicator of metabolic rate in organisms, representing the amount of oxygen used by an organism to produce energy through metabolic processes. It is commonly measured in various research fields such as physiology, ecology, and environmental science to understand the metabolic demands of organisms and their responses to environmental stressors. By measuring oxygen consumption rates, researchers can gain insights into an organism's energy requirements, overall health, and responses to changing environmental conditions. This research area is important for studying the physiological adaptations of organisms, ecological dynamics, and impacts of environmental disturbances on living organisms.