Are Cells Immortal?

Cells make up the most basic unit of life.  Additionally, we know that cells come from preexisting cells (part of the Cell Theory).  Yet a question remains, are cells immortal and how do cells grow and develop?  In this activity we will attempt to answer these questions.

Directions:

1. Sign up for a free account for Scribblar, an online collaborative whiteboard.  Use your TTSD Google Account email.

1. In Scribblar you can draw, make shapes, add text, insert photos, upload pdfs and documents, and take a screenshot of your white board when you are done.

2. Read the following article to begin your thinking:

1. Henrietta Lacks Immortal Cells

3. In your group, discuss, research, analyze and answer the following questions below concerning Cells.  You are conducting the research and trying to answer the questions below as well as those that come up during your group discussion.

4. Include on your “whiteboard” pictures, videos, images, written descriptions (by you and not copied and pasted).  

5. You will have 30 minutes to read, discuss, and research these questions.

Analysis:

1. Are cells immortal? What happens if cell division doesn’t stop?
2. What causes cells to stop reproducing?
3. Why is the idea of cell replication important?

Turn In:

1. Write the names of your group members on your whiteboard.
2. Take a snapshot of your whiteboard
3. Open the DNA Assignment Turn in link found here.
4. Right click on the snapshot/image of your whiteboard and select “copy image url.”
5. Paste the image url into your assignment turn in form.  Only one person per group needs to turn in the image as long as everyone’s name is on the snapshot.