Misconceptions
1. Mitosis produces two new identical daughter cells.
- Mitosis divides the nucleus. Cell division occurs during cytokinesis.
- Imagines : http://jpkc.scu.edu.cn/ywwy/zbsw%28E%29/edetail11.htm
Video clips: http://youtu.be/cvlpmmvB_m4
Hands-on activities: http://lifesciences.envmed.rochester.edu/curriculum/cancer/Cell_Cycle_PPT.pdf
2. Meiosis occurs in all cells.
- Meiosis occurs only in reproductive cells, producing either sperm or egg.
- Mitosis vs. Meiosis: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120074/bio17.swf::Comparison%20of%20Meiosis%20and%20Mitosis
3. The phases of mitosis and meiosis are discrete events.
- Make sure that students recognize that the different phases are identified only to make it more convenient to study. In reality, the phases of meiosis and mitosis are continuous events.
4. Interphase is the resting phase of the cell cycle.
- Interphase is the growth phase of the cell cycle. The cell increases its mass/size and also replicates the genetic material during this phase
- Mitosis Set to Music http://youtu.be/ODwt6OdN-8Y
5. Students don't understand the role that meiosis plays in heredity (e.g. why offspring resemble their parents and why there are genetic differences between siblings)
- As a result of meiosis and fertilization, each offspring has half of his/her genes from his/her mother and half from his/her father. As a result, children tend to resemble their parents and their siblings. However, the genetic diversity of the sperm and eggs results in genetic diversity of the different offspring produced by the same mother and father.
- Venn-Diagrams of key terms and concepts (e.g. haploid vs. diploid, gamete vs. zygote, crossing over vs. genetic diversity, etc.)
Image from:
http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/c/common_misconceptions.asp