Investigation of Students’ Alternative Conceptions of Terms and Processes of Gene Technology

Table 3

Specific categories of students’ conceptions about the terms and processes of gene technology (students’ key words for each category within students’ quotations in italic letters).

Category	Definition: connection to …	Students’ application to the
		Term of gene^a
Container	A container with something inside	A “cell” with certain traits inside.
Transmission	Something which is transmitted.	Genes will betransmitted.
Individuality	A unique specificity of genes.	A gene is the individual code of every living being.
		Term of enzyme^a
Function	Specific functions.	… are illness-restraining substances.
Source	Uptake from a source.	… are taken up by food.
		Process of genetic engineering
Science	Science or scientific approaches.	This is a specific science …

aSample student quotation.