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Error bars commonly appear in figures error bars encompass the lowest and high-
in publications, but experimental est values. SD is calculated by the formula
biologists are often unsure how they
should be used and interpreted. In this SD = ∑ ( X − M )2
article we illustrate some basic features n −1
of error bars and explain how they can
where X refers to the individual data
help communicate data and assist
THE JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
double the SE bars just touch, P is close to the SE or 95% CI calculated from those
0.05 (Fig. 5, leftmost panel). If n is 10 or differences. If that 95% CI does not in-