Misconceptions
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- A DNA sequence can only be replicated in a cell if it originated in the given cell. When students learn of DNA replication, they do not necessarily acknowledge the fact that DNA replication is non-specific. By learning that replication occurs in the nucleus of each individual and unique cell, and that proteins are specifically coded in each cell to express certain genes, it is easy to overlook the fact that DNA replication is nearly identical in most cells, and that replication of the entire genome, whatever is present, can occur without discrimination.
- Recombining DNA from various sources to produce a functional genetic sequence isn’t possible. Many students feel that once an organism is born with a specific sequence of DNA, its traits are predetermined and cannot be altered. The only changes that can occur are direct replication. The introduction of plasmid DNA and vectors is an extremely abstract concept that is very difficult for many students to grasp.
- Restriction enzymes act as limiting agents. Many students associate the word restriction with “limiting access to”, not cutting or separating. Restriction is also a term used in other biological processes, and it may have different meanings in these processes.
- When DNA is digested, it is being broken down into its simplest components. Many students associate the term digest to the breakdown of food, while in biotechnology the term refers to the cutting of DNA strands.
- Recombining DNA from various sources to produce a functional genetic sequence isn’t possible. Many students feel that once an organism is born with a specific sequence of DNA, its traits are predetermined and cannot be altered. The only changes that can occur are direct replication. The introduction of plasmid DNA and vectors is an extremely abstract concept that is very difficult for many students to grasp.
- Restriction enzymes act as limiting agents. Many students associate the word restriction with “limiting access to”, not cutting or separating. Restriction is also a term used in other biological processes, and it may have different meanings in these processes.
- When DNA is digested, it is being broken down into its simplest components. Many students associate the term digest to the breakdown of food, while in biotechnology the term refers to the cutting of DNA strands.
Overcoming Misconceptions
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- Introduce the concept of plasmid reproduction in a host cell by comparing DNA replication in various types of cells, by creating a comparison chart after showing various animations of both bacterial and eukaryotic DNA replication. This will hopefully demonstrate that either the same or very similar mechanisms are at play in the different types of cells. By noting the similarities, students can begin to accept that DNA replication will occur of any and all genomes present in the nucleus.
- It is best to overcome this misconception by providing various different animations, either videos or interactive animations, which can demonstrate to students the recombination of DNA. It is important to specify that recombination is made possible by using the same restriction enzyme to cut both strands of DNA, yielding the same sequence of nucleotides on both strands of DNA and allowing for recombination.
- The concept of restriction enzymes must first be introduced by generating a functional definition of the term as a class. It is the teacher’s duty to bring to light the misconception associated with the denotation of the term restricting as opposed to its biological connotation.
- Similar to combatting the misconception with the term restriction, it is essential to construct a functional definition of the word “digest” as a class prior to instructing the lesson. In this manner, students are provided with a more appropriate and logical concept to receive information than their previous schema would have provided.
- It is best to overcome this misconception by providing various different animations, either videos or interactive animations, which can demonstrate to students the recombination of DNA. It is important to specify that recombination is made possible by using the same restriction enzyme to cut both strands of DNA, yielding the same sequence of nucleotides on both strands of DNA and allowing for recombination.
- The concept of restriction enzymes must first be introduced by generating a functional definition of the term as a class. It is the teacher’s duty to bring to light the misconception associated with the denotation of the term restricting as opposed to its biological connotation.
- Similar to combatting the misconception with the term restriction, it is essential to construct a functional definition of the word “digest” as a class prior to instructing the lesson. In this manner, students are provided with a more appropriate and logical concept to receive information than their previous schema would have provided.