This study explored the Rwandan secondary students' opinions on learning biochemistry concepts covered in the Rwandan advanced level of secondary school biology curriculum, and the reasons behind the difficulty of the concepts. In this research, sequential exploratory mixed-method designs were adopted. The sample comprised 195 secondary school…

The use of external representations (ERs) to introduce concepts in undergraduate biology has become increasingly common. Two of the most prevalent are static images and dynamic animations. While previous studies comparing static images and dynamic animations have resulted in somewhat conflicting findings in regards to learning outcomes, the…

The College of the Holy Cross offers a universal first-year program called Montserrat, in which first-year students participate in a living-learning experience anchored by a yearlong seminar course. The seminar courses are part of a thematic cluster of four to eight courses; students in the cluster live together in a common dormitory and…

This practical paper describes a novel fluorescence imaging experiment to study the three processes of photochemistry, fluorescence and thermal energy dissipation, which compete during the dissipation of excitation energy in photosynthesis. The technique represents a non-invasive tool for revealing and understanding the spatial heterogeneity in…

Discusses the biochemical mechanisms related to photosynthesis. Describes a water-oxidizing clock generating a molecule of oxygen with every four ticks. Lists four references. (YP)

Provides an overview of enzyme reactions which contribute to the character and acceptability of plant foods. A detailed discussion of polyphenoloxidase is also provided as an example of an enzyme which can markedly affect the character and acceptability of such foods. (JN)

Discusses the diversity and dynamic nature of the chemical components of postharvest crops. Also discusses the role of respiration and genetic control in chemical transformations leading to desirable and undesirable changes in the quality of edible plants after harvest. The role of enzymes in producing these changes is considered. (JN)

Describes a multiple-choice instrument that reliably and validly diagnoses secondary students' understanding of photosynthesis and respiration in plants. Highlights the consistency of students' misconceptions across secondary levels and indicates a high percentage of students have misconceptions regarding plant physiology. (CW)

As part of a study of the implementation of affirmative action in academic affairs at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, interviews were conducted with the heads of ten of the eleven departments and programs of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (FNSM). The data received were combined with written data available in…