What is the Difference Between HeLa Cells and Normal Cells?

HeLa cells and normal cells have several key differences:

1. Chromosome number: Normal cells contain 46 chromosomes, while HeLa cells contain 76 to 80 chromosomes due to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which causes errors in the genome and additional DNA.
2. Cell growth: HeLa cells grow unusually fast, even for cancer cells, doubling their cellular count in only 24 hours. This rapid growth is one of the reasons HeLa cells have been used extensively in research.
3. Immortality: HeLa cells are immortal, meaning they can divide indefinitely and do not enter cellular senescence. Normal cells, on the other hand, have a limited number of divisions before they die.
4. Cancerous nature: HeLa cells are derived from a tumor and are cancerous, while normal cells are non-cancerous.

These differences make HeLa cells a valuable tool in biomedical research, as they can be easily grown and maintained in the laboratory, allowing scientists to study various aspects of cellular biology and disease.

Comparative Table: HeLa Cells vs Normal Cells

HeLa cells and normal cells have several differences. Here is a table comparing their key characteristics:

HeLa cells are cancerous cells known for their rapid growth and ability to survive indefinitely in culture. In contrast, normal cells have a controlled growth rate and follow a programmed cell death process. HeLa cells lack the repair mechanisms and communication abilities found in normal cells, which contribute to their uncontrolled growth and malignant behavior.