Table 1.
Concept inventories covering biology or biochemistry knowledge.
Fig 1.
Results on questions 4, 5 and 11.
On three out of four BCI questions related to evolutionary processes, many participants were attracted by distractors underlying misconceptions such as "needs as a rational for changes" or "use and disuse of an organ". The best answers are in bold.
Fig 2.
Results on questions 9, 10 and 22.
Some misconceptions related to the information storage function of DNA and the interconnection between molecular properties and genetics are observed among many participants. The best answers are marked in bold.
Fig 3.
Results on questions 13, 14 and 19.
On question 19, aspects of Mendel’s inheritance model seem to be understood. However, the restrictive dichotomous genetic thinking of "dominant" against "recessive" is prevalent among participants (as observed on question 22 (Fig 2)). Many participants are attracted by misconceptions not recognizing random mutations as an important factor in biological processes. The best answers are marked in bold.
Fig 4.
Results on questions 15, 16 and 20.
Many participants were attracted by the oversimplifying analogy of puzzle pieces to explain molecular interactions and underestimated random diffusion and collisions as the main influence to spread and separate associated molecules.