Learn how sea cucumbers eject and regenerate parts of their internal organs, in this episode of Gross Science from NOVA. Sea cucumbers are marine animals that can undergo a form of autotomy called evisceration—a sea cucumber can shoot out its internal organs. After evisceration, sea cucumbers regenerate their lost organs through dedifferentiation: certain cells stop performing their current function and become capable of other functions. If scientists could figure out how sea cucumbers dedifferentiate their cells, they could potentially stimulate human cells to regrow lost limbs or heal spinal injuries. This resource is part of the NOVA: Gross Science Collection.

Check out Connections within Support Materials for the links referenced in the video.