What’s That Word?

Cell: The smallest unit of biological life that can reproduce independently.

Cell culture: The process through which extracted cells are grown outside of their natural environment—typically in labs.

Cell line: A population of cells descended from a single cell; they contain identical genetic makeup.

Chromosome: Within the nucleus of a cell, it is the structure made up of protein and DNA that contains genetic material. Humans have forty-six chromosomes. HeLa cells helped scientists understand the human chromosome, a major breakthrough.

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is a molecule that holds the genetic instructions for all living organisms and some viruses, including growth, development, and reproduction. The HPV virus has inserted its DNA into one of Henrietta Lacks’s chromosomes, turning off the gene that suppresses tumors.

G6PD-A (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-A): A rare genetic marker found nearly exclusively in African Americans—and in HeLa cells. When G6PD-A showed up in samples in labs well out of proportion than what is in the population, Stanley Gartner was able to determine they had been contaminated by HeLa.

HeLa: The HeLa cell line, derived from cervical cells taken from Henrietta Lacks, is the oldest immortal cell line and remains the most commonly used in labs around the world.

HPV (human papillomavirus): The most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Henrietta Lacks’s cells were found to contain a virulent strain of HPV, which contributed to their immortality. Research on HeLa cells has led to a vaccine for HPV.

Informed consent: A legal procedure to ensure that a patient knows all the risks and the costs involved in a treatment or a procedure, or before he or she enrolls in a clinical trial. Henrietta Lacks did not give consent when a doctor removed pieces of tissue from her cervix.