Some misconceptions in meiosis shown by students responding to an Advanced level practical examination question in biology

Abstract

Lack of understanding of aspects of the process of meiosis and of the relationship of them to Mendelian genetics has been shown to cause learning problems for students of different ages and in different countries.

Some of these problems have been revealed in students' responses to a practical task which formed part of an Advanced level examination. The frequencies with which some misconceptions occurred have been determined in a large sample of students. The nature of these is analysed and their implications discussed.