Cell Biology and Microbiology misconceptions of teachers in training: implications of their presence

Abstract

Detection of misconceptions in teachers is an important research line whose results have confirmed lacks in their training. Given that teaching action is one of the main origins of Primary Education students´ misconceptions, in this paper we study the prevalence of some Cell Biology and Microbiology misconceptions in a sample of teachers in training. Results show that the most widespread misconceptions are the belief that i) genetic material is only placed in the cell nucleus, ii) mitochondria are only present in animal cells, iii) the identification of viruses as living beings (instead of acellular agents), iv) antibiotics as substances able to eliminate all microorganisms, and v) microorganisms as obligate pathogens, obviating their environmental and industrial relevance. Finally, we discuss the implications of these results on teachers´ initial training and in their future teaching action.