Chapter 27 Study Guide - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

According to Stevenson, why did scientists develop the HeLa cells are no longer human?

According to Stevenson, scientists developed that HeLa cells were no longer human because they did not like to associate the cells with a person who actually lived. Pg. 216

Explain how the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer.

HPV causes cancer because it inserts its DNA into the DNA of the host cell, where it produces proteins that normally lead to cancer in that cell. Pg. 212-213

Why were HeLa cells able to live beyond the Hayflick limit?

HeLa cells were able to live beyond the Hayflick limit because they contained an enzyme called telomerase, which regenerated the cells constantly. This meant that the HeLa cells never died because they just regenerated. Pg. 217

Who do you think makes the more persuasive argument, Van Valen or Stevenson?

I think Stevenson makes the more persuasive argument because he introduces a logical counterargument to Valen's original statement about the species of the HeLa cells.

Are scientists able to definitively explain why HeLa grew so powerfully?

No, scientists are not able to definitively explain why HeLa grew so powerfully. Pg. 213

Describe the contribution that HeLa has made to research on the HIV virus and the AIDS epidemic.

The contribution that HeLa made to research on the HIV virus and the AIDS epidemic was that it allowed them to determine what was required for HIV to infect them. Pg. 214

Explain the theories that Henrietta's family have about why her cells are so powerful.

The theories that Henrietta's family have about why her cells are so powerful are that the cancer was a punishment from God, that it was the disease causing spirits that caused them to be so powerful, and that there was something alive inside of Henrietta and it kept on living once she died. Pg. 213-214

Explain Van Valen's theory that HeLa cells are "no longer human." Was his theory accepted by the scientific community?

Van Valen's theory that HeLa cells are "no longer human" stated that the HeLa cells were evolving into a different species separate from human. His theory was not accepted nor was it challenged. Pg. 216