Curated set · answers marked
What type of cells were taken from Henrietta Lacks without her knowledge or consent, and what name are they commonly known by in scientific research?
Rationale
In 1951, researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital collected cells from Henrietta Lacks's cervical cancer tumor without her consent. These cells were named "HeLa," derived from the first two letters of her first and last name. They became the first immortal human cell line, meaning they can survive and reproduce indefinitely in a lab, and have played a crucial role in numerous medical advancements.
What type of cells were taken from Henrietta Lacks without her knowledge or consent, and what name do they go by in the scientific community?
Rationale
In 1951, researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital collected cells from Henrietta Lacks's cervical cancer tumor without her knowledge or consent. These cells, called "HeLa" after the first two letters of her first and last name, were the first human cells to thrive and multiply indefinitely in a lab, proving to be crucial for medical research.
*Quiz Question — The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot*
What type of cells were taken from Henrietta Lacks without her knowledge or consent, and what name are they commonly known by in scientific research?
A) White blood cells, known as WL-1 cells B) Cervical cancer cells, known as HeLa cells C) Breast cancer cells, known as HL-1 cells D) Skin cells, known as HeLa cells
Correct Answer: B — Henrietta Lacks's cervical cancer cells were collected at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1951 without her consent. These cells, called HeLa cells—derived from the first two letters of her first and last name—became the first immortal human cell line and have played a crucial role in numerous medical advances, including the development of the polio vaccine.