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Misshaped Chromosomes, Mismatched Chromatids, and Missized Genes: Easy Edits May Help Mitigate Misconceptions Commonly Represented in Published Scientific Figures

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Title: Misshaped Chromosomes, Mismatched Chromatids, and Missized Genes: Easy Edits May Help Mitigate Misconceptions Commonly Represented in Published Scientific Figures
Language: English
Authors: Crystal Uminski (ORCID 0000-0002-3370-5192), Dina L. Newman (ORCID 0000-0002-2983-1102), L. Kate Wright (ORCID 0000-0001-7379-0224)
Source: Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. 2025 26(2).
Availability: American Society for Microbiology. 1752 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-737-3600; e-mail: journals@asmusa.org; Web site: https://journals.asm.org/journal/jmbe
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Secondary Education
Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Publications, Molecular Structure, Misconceptions, Scientific Concepts, Molecular Biology, Research, Genetics, Illustrations, Visual Aids, Secondary School Science, College Science
ISSN: 1935-7877
1935-7885
Abstract: Scientific publications, textbooks, and online educational resources rely on illustrated figures to communicate about molecular structures like genes and chromosomes. Published figures have the potential to shape how learners think about these molecular structures and their functions, so it is important that figures are clear, unambiguous, and free from misleading or incorrect information. Unfortunately, we found numerous examples of figures that contain representations of genes and chromosomes with errors that reflect common molecular biology misconceptions. We found published figures featuring Y-shaped Y chromosomes, replicated chromosomes incorrectly shown with different alleles on sister chromatids, single genes portrayed as wide bands on chromosomes, and genes consisting of only a small number of nucleotides. Drawing on our research on student thinking about visual representations in molecular biology, we critique these published figures that contain such misconceptions and provide recommendations for simple modifications to figures that may help scientists, science illustrators, and science educators more accurately communicate the structure and function of genes and chromosomes.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1481722
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Misshaped Chromosomes, Mismatched Chromatids, and Missized Genes: Easy Edits May Help Mitigate Misconceptions Commonly Represented in Published Scientific Figures
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  Data: American Society for Microbiology. 1752 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-737-3600; e-mail: journals@asmusa.org; Web site: https://journals.asm.org/journal/jmbe
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  Data: Scientific publications, textbooks, and online educational resources rely on illustrated figures to communicate about molecular structures like genes and chromosomes. Published figures have the potential to shape how learners think about these molecular structures and their functions, so it is important that figures are clear, unambiguous, and free from misleading or incorrect information. Unfortunately, we found numerous examples of figures that contain representations of genes and chromosomes with errors that reflect common molecular biology misconceptions. We found published figures featuring Y-shaped Y chromosomes, replicated chromosomes incorrectly shown with different alleles on sister chromatids, single genes portrayed as wide bands on chromosomes, and genes consisting of only a small number of nucleotides. Drawing on our research on student thinking about visual representations in molecular biology, we critique these published figures that contain such misconceptions and provide recommendations for simple modifications to figures that may help scientists, science illustrators, and science educators more accurately communicate the structure and function of genes and chromosomes.
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