Concepts of gene: historical-epistemological construction and higher education teachers´ perceptions

Abstract

Considering the importance that the discussion of concepts related to genetics has on the society and the necessity to approach science as a dynamic and historical activity, it will be discussed an essential concept to the understanding of biological inheritance: the concept of gene. This way, the article aims to discuss the differents concepts of genes in the history of biology and the relevance of addressing in teaching context this concept in a systemic perception of phenomena. Also, the paper have an analyses of the ideas about the concept of the gene from teachers from two university. The results indicate the presence of different definitions of the gene in the discourse of university teachers, with the predominance of gene concept as a structural, functional and/or informational unit.

Keywords

• concept of gene
• systemic view of biology
• teachers trainning