Students' Understanding of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is an essential issue in biology and is learned by all Israeli high school students, even those who are not biology majors. science curriculum in Israel deals with photosynthesis in the junior high school as part of the topic The Plant and Light, and again only in the biology mainstream in high school or at the university (Israeli Education and Culture Office 1977). main reason for the decision to teach photosynthesis in junior high school lies in its importance for a basic understanding of how the world functions as an ecosystem. (Not all students will learn advanced biology courses in high school or at the university.) Previous studies revealed quite a few misconceptions about essential scientific concepts, including photosynthesis. (Bell & Brook 1984; Brumby 1982; Lavender & Anderson 1982; Osborne 1980; Simpson & Arnold 1982b; Stavy, Eisen & Yaakobi 1987; Wandersee 1983). objective of this study is to find out how students who did not study advanced biology courses understand how the world functions in relation to photosynthesis and related concepts. Five central concepts related to photosynthesis were studied: oxygen release by plants, respiration, autotrophic feeding, food and harnessing the sun's energy. understanding of these concepts enables the understanding of the mutual relationship of organisms in the ecosystem, one of the main goals in biology education.