COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
Misconception: A view or opinion that is incorrect based on faulty thinking or understanding.
The lessons have been designed such that each of these misconceptions will be debunked based upon what students will be learning and class and what they will be doing in their labs and activities.
The lessons have been designed such that each of these misconceptions will be debunked based upon what students will be learning and class and what they will be doing in their labs and activities.
1. Taxonomy is only a small discipline in biology and is not really important.
Taxonomy is fundamental when exploring Earth's species and when considering biodiversity.
Throughout the unit students should be able to see the practicality of having organisms in organized groups, which make sit easy to not only find organisms, but to see how organisms are related to one another, and how to determine the name of a species.
Particularly, the Scientific Name of a species is important because it allows scientists from around the world to communicate effectively with one another about the same species. For this, an example can be given how different languages make it difficult to determine which organism a scientist is referring to if they are using the Common Name in different languages, or even how the Common Name of a species can be different depending upon which region the person originates from.
Throughout the unit students should be able to see the practicality of having organisms in organized groups, which make sit easy to not only find organisms, but to see how organisms are related to one another, and how to determine the name of a species.
Particularly, the Scientific Name of a species is important because it allows scientists from around the world to communicate effectively with one another about the same species. For this, an example can be given how different languages make it difficult to determine which organism a scientist is referring to if they are using the Common Name in different languages, or even how the Common Name of a species can be different depending upon which region the person originates from.
2. Organisms are only classified by physiological features such as form and function.
Taxonomy uses high-technology, and considers DNA and proteins to classify relationships between organisms.
During the second lesson, of Classification, Taxonomy & Naming, the history of how we came to have our current form of classification will be review started with Aristotle, then Linneaus, and finally Woese. Students will discover how our classification system began very simply with plants and animals the only organisms considered, and how it grew more complex, until finally biomolecular processes and DNA are now considered when trying to classify organisms.
During the second lesson, of Classification, Taxonomy & Naming, the history of how we came to have our current form of classification will be review started with Aristotle, then Linneaus, and finally Woese. Students will discover how our classification system began very simply with plants and animals the only organisms considered, and how it grew more complex, until finally biomolecular processes and DNA are now considered when trying to classify organisms.
3. Taxonomy is old and out of date.
Taxonomy has been integrating new technologies that have since led to the discovery of new characters and improved old ones.
This statement can be addressed in similar manner to the previous statement, where it can be shown how DNA, proteins, and molecular processes are now considered.
This statement can be addressed in similar manner to the previous statement, where it can be shown how DNA, proteins, and molecular processes are now considered.
4. There are only large organisms like plants and animals in the domain Eukarya.
The Kingdom Protists in the domain Eukarya, are all single-celled organisms.
When the features of the Kingdom Protista are covered, there will be many examples such as paramecium and amoebas that students will be able to discover.
When the features of the Kingdom Protista are covered, there will be many examples such as paramecium and amoebas that students will be able to discover.
5. The Kingdom Animalia only has organisms that are vertebrates.
The Kingdom Animalia also contain invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, worms, starfish, and insects.
It should be ensured that when this Kingdom is covered, that the pictures that students are able to look at, include not just the vertebrates that students generally think of (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish), but also of the organisms that they generally do not immediately consider when one things of animals.
Try to include not just land invertebrates, but the marine ones as well, which are generally unusual to students.
It should be ensured that when this Kingdom is covered, that the pictures that students are able to look at, include not just the vertebrates that students generally think of (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish), but also of the organisms that they generally do not immediately consider when one things of animals.
Try to include not just land invertebrates, but the marine ones as well, which are generally unusual to students.
6. Yeast are bacteria.
Yeast are part of the Kingdom Fungi.
The lesson on Fungi should be conducted after the lesson on Bacteria, and students will be able to compare the similarities and differences between the two kingdoms.
There is also a lab planned where students will be able to determine the optimal growing conditions for yeast using cold water, warm water, and hot water.
The lesson on Fungi should be conducted after the lesson on Bacteria, and students will be able to compare the similarities and differences between the two kingdoms.
There is also a lab planned where students will be able to determine the optimal growing conditions for yeast using cold water, warm water, and hot water.
7. Fungi are plants.
Fungi are actually more similar to animals than plants. Fungi are consumers like animals, they cannot make their own food like plants which are producers. In order to eat, fungi release enzymes to the environment that decompose dead and dying organisms and absorbing those nutrients.
8. All fungi are beneficial. Or all fungi are detrimental and cause disease.
Students can be confused with either extreme when considering fungi. Either they believe that all are beneficial since fungi can be useful in baking, brewing, as food, or as sources for drugs and antibiotics. The opposite may be that students believe that they all have detrimental effects such as food spoilage and house mold, or by causing diseases such as yeast infections, rusts, and smuts.
It is important that students realize that there are some fungi that are beneficial, while others can have detrimental effects, and that it greatly depends on which type of fungi is being considered and under which conditions.
Examples of beneficial and detrimental effects of fungi should be given throughout the lesson.
It is important that students realize that there are some fungi that are beneficial, while others can have detrimental effects, and that it greatly depends on which type of fungi is being considered and under which conditions.
Examples of beneficial and detrimental effects of fungi should be given throughout the lesson.
9. All bacteria cause disease.
Most bacteria do not cause disease and actually cannot cause disease.
Many species actually play a beneficial role by producing antibiotics and food. Other bacteria play an essential role in the environment in regards to cycles of matter, particularly nitrogen fixation in the nitrogen cycle. Our bodies also contain a lot of different types of bacteria that help us function such as the bacteria that can be found in our digestive system, or the bacteria in our pro-biotic yogurt.
Many species actually play a beneficial role by producing antibiotics and food. Other bacteria play an essential role in the environment in regards to cycles of matter, particularly nitrogen fixation in the nitrogen cycle. Our bodies also contain a lot of different types of bacteria that help us function such as the bacteria that can be found in our digestive system, or the bacteria in our pro-biotic yogurt.
10. Archaea can only be found in "extreme" environments.
Initially these organisms where seen as extremophiles, only living in harsh conditions such as hot spring, salt lakes, etc.
Recently they have been found in a number of other habitats such as oceans, soils, marshlands, and the human colon and navel.
Recently they have been found in a number of other habitats such as oceans, soils, marshlands, and the human colon and navel.
11. Archaea are bacteria.
These organisms were originally classified with bacteria due to their similarities in size and shape and were named Archaebacteria. However, recently they have been given their own domain apart from bacteria, as they have an independent evolutionary history and have many differences from bacteria in terms of their biochemistry.
They seem to be more closely related to the domain Eukarya, than to the domain Bacteria.
They seem to be more closely related to the domain Eukarya, than to the domain Bacteria.