ERIC-Educational Resources Information Center
By Crawley, Frank E. and Arditzoglou, Sophia Yani
“Life and Physical Science Misconceptions of Preservice Elementary Teachers”
Publisher:
Pp. 2-22
1988
Life and Physical Science Misconceptions of Preservice Elementary Teachers
Type: Empirical
Data collection method: Survey
Number of subjects, range: Large — 31 or more
Grade and age of subjects: Adult — over 18 years
Nonliving/Living and Cells
- A tree is a living organism because it is a plant that develops from a seed and makes its own food.
- Both plants and animals cannot survive without food source but in animate objects can do without it.
- Water ,oxygen and a source of energy are used to determine whether living organism sever existed on a planet.
Cells
- Chloroplasts found in plant cells but not in animal cells, result in structural differences between these cell since they are functionally dissimilar.
Plants and Animals/Animal Classification
- Seeds that fall into a dark but moist environment die because they need sunlight to produce their own food.
- Plant food bought from the store facilitates the absorption of carbon dioxide and consequently helps the plant grow.
- Photosynthesis is the process by which plants get their energy source from the sun.
Animals
- Animals are any type of multicellular living things that are not classified as plants.
Evolution/NaturalSelectionandPrey-PredatorRelationships
- In some animals a new trait develops due to need while in others it results from chance mutation.
- The fittest animal is the one that survives the longest period of time and is capable of adapting to a totally new environment.
Human Body Systems
- Blood is a red liquid that clots easily when exposed to air.
- The blood’s main function is to carry oxygen and nutrient to every cell in all parts of the body.
- As blood reaches the cells nutrients, oxygen, waste products, and carbon dioxide are exchanged through arteries.
Human Digestive System
- As it leaves the mouth, food travels through the esophagus, stomach, large intestine, and finally the small intestine.
- Most of the food humans eat is stored in the numerous fat cells found under the skin.
Human Respiratory System
- Through the process of breathing, we supply cells with oxygen.
- Respiration is the process of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide and exchange in gases at the cellular level.