Understanding of life cycles and fertilization during learning biology in primary school

Sa？etak The aim of this study was to determine the conceptual understanding of the macro concept of Reproduction and organism development among students of the 7th and 8th grade of primary schools, based on students' answers to questions in relation to the macro concept of Reproduction and organism development at the regional competition in Biology in 2015 and 2017. Analysis of the students' answers included specific coding of the answers and interpreting the biological importance and meaning of each answer. Problems and misconceptions in relation to the concept of reproduction were singled out and explained. The analysis showed there is a problem with understanding the concept of reproduction and the misconceptions based around the key concept of cell life cycle, as well as misunderstandings of the concept of fertilization were observed as most prominent. Misconceptions found in this study show the necessity of changing the organization of contents taught in primary school biology and the need for using new teaching strategies, based on the students’ activity and individual work