Student Conceptions on Cells and Cell Processes in Grade 10

Abstract

     The purpose of this study was to examine one hundred and twenty grade 10 student conceptions about cells and cell processes. The survey was composed of closed and open-ended questions divided into three topics: cells and cell structures, diffusion and osmosis, and cell division. The results showed that students had alternative conceptions on every topic particularly diffusion and osmosis, and cell division. Nearly fifty percent of students had alternative conceptions about the concentration of particles during diffusion and osmosis; more than fifty percent of students had alternative conceptions about chromosome numbers in parent and daughter cells from mitosis and meiosis, regions or organs used for cell division and cell division in plant and animal cells. The researchers also found that some students answered questions by memorization rather than meaningful understanding on each topic.