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  • Misshaped chromosomes, mismatched chromatids, and missized genes: easy edits may help mitigate misconceptions commonly represented in published scientific figures

This content will become publicly available on August 21, 2026

Title: Misshaped chromosomes, mismatched chromatids, and missized genes: easy edits may help mitigate misconceptions commonly represented in published scientific figures
ABSTRACT Scientific publications, textbooks, and online educational resources rely on illustrated figures to communicate about molecular structures like genes and chromosomes. Published figures have the potential to shape how learners think about these molecular structures and their functions, so it is important that figures are clear, unambiguous, and free from misleading or incorrect information. Unfortunately, we found numerous examples of figures that contain representations of genes and chromosomes with errors that reflect common molecular biology misconceptions. We found published figures featuring Y-shaped Y chromosomes, replicated chromosomes incorrectly shown with different alleles on sister chromatids, single genes portrayed as wide bands on chromosomes, and genes consisting of only a small number of nucleotides. Drawing on our research on student thinking about visual representations in molecular biology, we critique these published figures that contain such misconceptions and provide recommendations for simple modifications to figures that may help scientists, science illustrators, and science educators more accurately communicate the structure and function of genes and chromosomes.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2222337
PAR ID:
10639685
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Editor(s):
Pandey, Sumali
Publisher / Repository:
American Society for Microbiology
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Volume:
26
Issue:
2
ISSN:
1935-7877
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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