Table 3.

Freshman responses to open-ended assessment question^a

Category	Sample quotes	Frequency
Flow of genetic information	This represents the path of the info stored in molecules like DNA … The info in DNA can be passed on to RNA molecules, which in turn actually execute the code for proteins.	9.4% (correct)
Transformation of one molecule to another	DNA makes DNA which becomes RNA which becomes protein	20.8% (incorrect)
			DNA is in the nucleus, it gets converted into RNA, base pairs are changed because the protein that makes amino acid can only use RNA.
	This means that DNA replication happens and the DNA is then turned into RNA and the RNA is then used in proteins.
RNA exists before the process and/or drives it	RNA can read the DNA and code for amino acids	20.8% (incorrect)
	RNA is a messenger that copies parts of DNA and codes for proteins.

^aDuring the analysis of responses to a query about the meaning of the central dogma, three important categories were noted (one correct and two incorrect). Although various other responses were given, these three types were striking for their frequency.