AbstractA persistent error has been observed among students in introductory biology and genetics. In interviews and examinations, many students express the belief that amino acids are produced by genetic translation (protein synthesis). The evidence suggests that at least four underlying factors contribute to error occurrence: (1)strong word associationbetween the terms “amino acids” and “proteins”, (2)confusionresulting from familiar and unfamiliar levels of generality and specificity, (3)conflictresulting from the dual roles of some proteins as participants in and products of translation, and (4)lack of knowledgeabout the actual origins of amino acids in cells. Implications for teaching are di