1Third Misconceptions Seminar Proceedings (1993) Paper Title: Drawing and Slicing Cells

Abstract: The teaching and learning of Biology relies strongly upon the use and interpretation of pictures, drawings and all sorts of iconic representations; it would be difficult to imagine teaching Biology without using them. Any Biology textbook contains a great number of graphic representations; for instance Carrick (quoted by Reid & Miller 1980) found in British textbooks of the 70's more than one every two pages. They range from photographs, drawings, electron micrographs, to outlines and other images, attempting to represent a wide range of scales, sections and idealizations of living beings. At the same time an important part of Biology courses consists of laboratory practical experience, including exercises with direct observation of samples, or by means of a microscope, and drawing these samples