Common Biological Terminologies Misused in Research Papers (and How to Avoid Them)
Introduction
Scientific communication demands precision. In biology, where a single term can represent a specific process, structure, or mechanism, the accurate use of terminology is important for clarity, and credibility. However, many research papers, even those published in reputable journals contain instances where biological terms are misused or misinterpreted. This can lead to conceptual confusion, data misrepresentation, and flawed interpretations.
This blog explores some of the most commonly misused biological terms, provides correct definitions and contexts, and offers guidelines to help researchers to avoid such errors in their manuscripts.
- Gene Expression vs. Protein Expression
One of the most frequent terminological errors occurs between gene expression and protein expression.
- Gene expression refers to the process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize functional products such as RNA and proteins. It encompasses transcription and, in some cases, translation.
- Protein expression, on the other hand, specifically denotes the production of proteins from mRNA molecules through translation.
Many researchers incorrectly use these two terms interchangeably. For example, a sentence like “The gene expression of p53 was analyzed using Western blot” is inaccurate. Western blotting detects proteins, not mRNA, so the correct phrasing should be:
“The protein expression of p53 was analyzed using Western blot.”
Tips to remember:
Always verify whether your data measures mRNA levels (qPCR, RNA-Seq) or protein levels (Western blot, ELISA) before selecting the term “gene” or “protein” expression.
- Correlation vs. Causation
Another conceptual misuse involves confusing correlation with causation.
- Correlation indicates a statistical relationship or association between two variables.
- Causation implies that one variable directly influences another.
In biological studies, especially in observational or in vitro experiments, authors often claim causal relationships without sufficient evidence. For example:
“Increased glucose levels cause insulin resistance in mice.”
Unless supported by mechanistic or longitudinal data, it is more accurate to write:
“Increased glucose levels are correlated with insulin resistance in mice.”
How to avoid this mistake
Be cautious when interpreting relationships. Use words such as “associated with,” “linked to,” or “correlated with” unless your experimental design explicitly demonstrates a cause–effect relationship.
- In Vivo, In Vitro, and In Silico
These Latin terms are essential in biological research but often misapplied.
- In vivo means “within the living” and refers to experiments conducted in whole, living organisms (e.g., animal or human studies).
- In vitro means “within the glass” and refers to experiments performed in controlled environments outside living organisms, such as petri dishes or test tubes.
- In silico refers to computer-based or computational simulations and analyses.
A common error occurs when researchers use “in vivo” to describe cell culture experiments, which are, in fact, “in vitro.”
How to avoid this mistake
Always ensure the experimental context aligns with the terminology. Remember:
- Cells → in vitro
- Animals → in vivo
- Simulations → in silico
- Significance vs. Importance
In scientific writing, statistical significance is frequently misinterpreted as biological importance.
- A statistically significant result (p < 0.05) means that the observed effect is unlikely due to chance, but it does not imply practical or biological relevance.
- A result can be statistically significant yet biologically trivial, especially in large datasets.
5.Homology vs. Similarity
These terms describe evolutionary and structural relationships but are not synonymous.
- Homology implies a shared ancestry between two genes or proteins.
- Similarity indicates comparable features or sequences, regardless of evolutionary origin.
For example, two proteins can be similar in structure but not homologous. Therefore, writing “The proteins are 80% homologous” is incorrect. The correct phrasing is “The proteins show 80% sequence similarity and are homologous based on shared ancestry.”
How to avoid this mistake
Use homology for evolutionary relationships and similarity for measurable characteristics.
- Pathogen vs. Parasite vs. Symbiont
Biological interactions are complex, and these terms represent different relationships between organisms.
- Pathogen: causes disease in its host.
- Parasite: lives on or in a host, often causing harm but not necessarily disease.
- Symbiont: lives in close association with another organism, which may be mutualistic, commensal, or parasitic.
Calling every microorganism a “pathogen” misrepresents its ecological role.
How to avoid this mistake
Use pathogen only when disease causation is demonstrated; otherwise, refer to the organism as a microbe, parasite, or symbiont as appropriate
- Dose vs. Concentration
In pharmacology and toxicology, these terms are often misapplied.
- Dose refers to the amount of a substance administered to an organism (e.g., mg/kg).
- Concentration refers to the amount of a substance within a medium or solution (e.g., µg/mL).
For example, “The concentration of aspirin administered to mice was 50 mg/kg” is incorrect; it should be “The dose of aspirin administered to mice was 50 mg/kg.”
How to avoid this mistake
Always distinguish between what is administered (dose) and what is measured or present (concentration).
- Species vs. Strain vs. Isolate
In microbial and genetic studies, these terms are often misused.
- Species is the basic taxonomic unit (e.g., Escherichia coli).
- Strain refers to a genetically distinct subtype within a species (e.g., E. coli K12).
- Isolate denotes a sample obtained from a specific source, often used in clinical microbiology.
For instance, “The species of bacteria isolated from the patient was E. coli K12” is inaccurate because K12 is a strain, not a species.
- Apoptosis vs. Necrosis
Both refer to cell death, but their mechanisms differ profoundly.
- Apoptosis is a programmed, regulated process of cell death, involving DNA fragmentation and membrane blebbing.
- Necrosis is an uncontrolled cell death caused by injury or infection, often accompanied by inflammation.
Using these terms interchangeably can lead to serious misinterpretations, especially in molecular or pathological research.
How to avoid this mistake
Confirm the mechanism of cell death through appropriate assays (e.g., Annexin V staining for apoptosis, LDH release for necrosis).
