Science of Cells

"Gotta Grow...Time to Split!"

How do cells divide?

Why do cells divide?

What happens when cell division goes wrong?

Do all cells divide similarly?

Are cells living?

Cell Surface vs. Volume: An Exponential Difference

According to the geometric formulae for a sphere's surface area (4 π r ^2) versus its volume (4/3 π r ^3), you can see that volume increases exponentially greater than surface area. This means that, though cells are microscopically small, as their outward appearance seems to grow, their contents grow even greater!

Surface Area (Sphere): 4 π r^2

Volume (Sphere): 4/3 π r^3

π = C/d; C=circumference; d=diameter; r=radius

Pierce, R. (2018). Volume and Area of a Sphere Calculator. Math Is Fun. Retrieved 14 Apr 2020 from http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/sphere-volume-area.html

IS5.T1-4: Structure, Function, & Growth

Culture Clash: Cell Cultures vs. the "Golden Age of Antibiotics"

The Specialization of Somatic Cells

The Splitting of Somatic Cells vs. Germ (line) Cells

Mitosis

Meiosis

The Bewildering Balance of Bioethics

What is Bioethics?

The study of ethical and moral issues related to the practices of medicine and biology. The four, foundational prima facie tenets of bioethics are:

Autonomy: the freedom to make decisions about oneself; the right to self-determination

Nonmaleficence: requires that no harm be caused to an individual, unintentionally or deliberately.

Beneficence: the principle of "doing good" for others, physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.

Justice: the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.

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The Bioethics Behind The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

If you are interested in exploring this topic further, there is an incredible online resource through edX/HarvardX (for FREE!) created by Harvard Law Professor Glen Cohen entitled:

Bioethics: The Law, Medicine, and Ethics of Reproductive Technologies and Genetics

Here is a brief overview of the contents of his course and I have also included his intriguing interview with Rebecca Skloot, Uncovering the Henrietta Lacks Story.

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The Tenets of Bioethics:

Autonomy

Nonmaleficence

Beneficence

Justice

Fidelity

Confidentiality

Fidelity

Accountability

Decision Making Process

Describe the problem

Gather the facts

Clarify values

Note reactions

Identify ethical Principles

Clarify legal rules

Explore options/alternatives

Decide on a recommendation

Develop an action plan

Evaluate the plan

Procunier, M. (2019). Bioethics Discussion: Ethics Consultation Process. South Miami Hospital. Retrieved 19 February 2019 from https://bioethics.miami.edu/clinical-and-research-ethics/hospital-ethics-committees/index.html
Cohen, G. (2018). Bioethics: The Law, Medicine, and Ethics of Reproductive Technologies and Genetics. edX/HarvardX. Retrieved 14 April 2020 from https://www.google.com/ url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.edx.org%2Fcourse%2Fbioethics-the-law-medicine-and-ethics-of-reproduct%23!&sa=D

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: Language of the Discipline (LOTD)

Language of the Discipline Slideshow HeLa (Spring 2018)

Language of the Discipline: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Additional Readings & Research

Human Tissue Ownership and Use in Research: What Laboratorians and Researchers Should Know - Clinical Chemistry

Tissue Rights and Ownership: Is a Cell Line a Research Tool or a Person? - The Columbia Science and Technology Law Review

Property Rights and the Human Body - Genomics Law Report

Ethical & legal considerations regarding the ownership & commercial use of human biological materials & their derivatives - National Institutes of Health

Human Tissue Act of 2004 - Human Tissue Authority