Name: __________________
Date: ____________
Biology
Life Span of Human Cells
Analyzing Data
Like all organisms, cells have a given life span from birth to death.
In multicellular organisms, such as humans, the health of the
organism depends on cells not exceeding their life span. This is
especially true of cells that tend to divide rapidly. If these cells did
not die on schedule, overcrowding of cells would occur, causing
uncontrolled growth that would be life-threatening.
The data table shows the life spans of various human cells. It also
contains information about the ability of the cells to multiply
through cell division.
1. White blood cells help protect the body from infection and
disease-producing organisms. How might their function
relate to their life span?
a. Sickly person – Their white blood cells would have to
replenish on a constant basis.
b. Healthy person – Their white blood cells do not have to be
replenished on a continuous basis.
2. Based on the data, how are the consequences of injuries to
the heart and spinal cord similar to each other? How are they
different from the consequences of injuries to smooth
muscle?
a. Heart Muscle is long- lived. When it is injured, it needs to
be replaced. Spinal cord is long lived. However, it can
repair itself in certain places.
b. Smooth Muscle is long-lived. However, it can repair itself.
3. Propose a hypothesis to account for the data related to the
cell life spans of the lining of the esophagus, small intestine
and large intestine. Choose 1 (one) only.
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4. Cancer is a disease related to cell life span and cell division. If
cancer cells were added to the data table, predict what would
be written under the columns:
Cell Type
Life Span
Cell Divisions
Cancer Cells
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Explain why you choose those predictions. 3 sent
a. Life Span
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b. Cell Divisions
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