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The Immortal Cells of Henrietta Lacks Instructional VideoThe Immortal Cells of Henrietta Lacks Instructional Video
Publisher
TED-Ed
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
7th - 12th
Subjects
Science
3 more...
Resource Type
Instructional Videos
Media Length
4:26
Audiences
For Teacher Use
1 more...
Duration
15 mins
Instructional Strategies
Direct Instruction
2 more...
Technology
Video
Projection
Internet Access
Accessibility
Closed Captions
1 more...
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Fine Print
Instructional Video

The Immortal Cells of Henrietta Lacks

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Why are Henrietta Lacks' cells immortal? The answer is that no one really knows. But much has been learned because they are. Check out this video that introduces some of these remarkable discoveries.

48 Views 49 Downloads

Concepts

cell biology, cell functions, genetics

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • Have groups research Henrietta Lacks, some of the discoveries made using her cells, and the efforts of her family to establish consent potocols

Classroom Considerations

  • Flip the lesson, have kids watch the video, complete the comprehension check, and research some of the provided links before returning for a whole-class discussion

Pros

  • The packet provides links to additional resources that detail some of the programs using HeLa cells and to some of the ethical questions surrounding their use

Cons

  • None

See similar resources:

Activity

Cell Exploration Activities

Lincoln Public Schools
Engage young biologists in exploring the mysteries of life with this collection of hands-on activities. Enlisting the help of numerous digital resources, students get an up-close look at the structure of plant and animal...
7th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Video

Immortal Cells Turn 96

SciShow
Happy Birthday, Henrietta Lacks! Celebrate August 1, the birthday of one of the most important women in genetics in part 139 of a 143-part video series. The narrator describes the life of Henrietta Lacks, the aggressive form of cancer...
5 mins 9th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Video

Hydras: Our Immortal, Tentacled Friends

SciShow
What type of animal is essentially immortal? The video describes the distinctive capabilities of the hydra. It doesn't follow the typical life cycle pattern of most living creatures, and these unique features make the hydra basically...
4 mins 9th - 12th Science
Instructional Video

What Is the Biggest Single-Celled Organism?

TED-Ed
Meet Caulerpa taxifolia, believed to be the largest single-celled organism in the world. How does it work and where is it found? Learn all about this invasive algae and why it is so successful.
4 mins 7th - 12th Science
Instructional Video

How a Single-Celled Organism Almost Wiped out Life on Earth

TED-Ed
Meet cyanobacteria, the single-celled organism that changed the world by causing the first mass extinction of life forms, gave rise to oxygen breathing life forms, and was responsible for the first Ice Age.
4 mins 7th - 12th Science
Instructional Video

What Are Mini Brains?

TED-Ed
Scientists grow tiny brains outside an organism in their labs. How this is accomplished and why become the central focus of a video and discussion. After viewing the core lesson, ten questions check for content mastery and prepare young...
5 mins 6th - Higher Ed Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Unit Plan

Ted: Ted Ed: The Immortal Cells of Henrietta Lacks

TED Talks
Imagine something small enough to float on a particle of dust that holds the keys to understanding cancer, virology, and genetics. Luckily for us, such a thing exists in the form of trillions upon trillions of human, lab-grown cells...
9th - 10th Science
Lesson Plan

Stem Cells: 5 Year Progress Report

Curated OER
Students explore different aspects of stem cells.  In this human biology lesson, students complete numerous activities including reading an article and discussing it, watching a video on stem cells reproducing over time, and...
5th - 12th Science
Handout

Harvard Medical School: History of Sickle Cell Disease

Harvard University
This site is put out by a professor of the Harvard Medical School. It contains factual information on Sickle Cell Disease and the information is set up by links under different subject headings. This is a great site to check out on the...
9th - 10th Science
Instructional Video

How Bones Make Blood

TED-Ed
Bones are blood cell factories. Viewers learn all about bone marrow and how blood cells produced in the marrow of a donor can be grafted into a cancer patient to fight the disease.
5 mins 6th - 12th Science
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