Discussions on species taxa directly refer to a range of complex biological phenomena. Given these phenomena, biologists have developed and continue to appeal to a series of species concepts and do not have a clear definition for it as each species concept tells us part of the story or helps the biologists to explain and understand a subset of…

Tested Richard Duschl's triadic model of the growth of scientific knowledge against research practices of 10 accomplished life scientists. Reports that the scientists were willing to change their aims, methods, or theories and were both realists and relativists depending on the scientific discourse about the phenomena in question. Discusses…

Discusses how handedness at one level may give rise to handedness at another. Presents examples from plants and animals, molecules, atoms, to elementary particles. Examines the chiral symmetry in life and when it starts. (YP)

Described are animals that can filter their food out of the water. Various structures modified to strain plankton and small animals from water are detailed. The adaptive significance of these structures is discussed. (CW)

Discussed are problems revealed in student responses to a practical task which formed part of an advanced level examination. The frequencies with which some misconceptions about cell reproduction and genetics occurred are presented. The nature of these misconceptions is analyzed and their implications discussed. (CW)

Discussed is the Human Genome Project which aims to decipher the totality of the human genetic information. The historical background, the objectives, international cooperation, ethical discussion, and the role of UNESCO are included. (KR)

Some understanding of biology is needed for the success of individuals in modern societies. This monograph is a report of an assessment of educational achievement by a sample of secondary school biology students in the United States within the context of current knowledge of teaching and learning strategies, the role of biological literacy in…

Presented is an analysis of published research on students' conceptual development in the life sciences with the intent of providing information on the trends and content of those studies. A list of 128 references is appended. (CW)