Wow in the World Podcast Summary
Episode: Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Cell-o!
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Produced by: Tinkercast | Wondery

Introduction: Celebrating Earth Day

The episode kicks off with host Guy Raz and co-host Mindy Thomas celebrating Earth Day, emphasizing the importance of caring for our planet. They introduce a special mini-episode dedicated to "Planet Wow," encouraging listeners to engage in eco-friendly adventures.

• Guy Raz [00:00]: “Our planet Earth is full of so much wow. And we need your help to find and share the wows with our community.”
• Mindy Thomas [00:21]: “Because after all, if we want our planet to take care of us, we have to take care of our planet.”

Listeners are invited to participate in an epic Geocaching Eco Adventure by visiting Tinkercast.com/PlanetWow, where they can find exclusive geocache boxes placed in awe-inspiring locations. Clues to these geocaches are hidden in previous episodes, fostering an interactive and engaging experience for the audience.

Main Segment: Two Whats?! And A Wow! – Exploring Cells

The core of the episode features the educational game show segment "Two Whats?! And A Wow!" focused on the theme of Cells, the fundamental building blocks of all living organisms.

Game Structure

• Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz guide contestants through three rounds.
• Objective: In each round, three statements about cells are presented—two false ("whats") and one true ("wow"). Contestants earn points by identifying the true statement. Incorrect answers lead to fun physical challenges.

Round 1: Understanding the Size of Cells and Atoms

• Question Presented [04:57]:

  • A. If atoms were the size of tennis balls, blood cells would be the size of San Diego.
  • B. There is a rare type of octopus that does not have any cells.
  • C. You can see most cells without a microscope.

• Notable Quote:

  • Mindy Thomas [07:12]: “Even though cells are super teeny tiny, atoms, which are the smallest unit of matter, are even tinier than cells.”

• Winning Statement: A. If atoms were the size of tennis balls, blood cells would be the size of San Diego.

• Contestant Victor [06:45]: “If atoms were the size of tennis balls, then blood cells would be the size of the city of San Diego.”

Insight: This statement highlights the minute size of atoms compared to cells, illustrating the vast difference in scale within biological structures.

Round 2: The Complexity of DNA in Cells

• Question Presented [07:59]:

  • A. Cats have more skin cells than humans do.
  • B. Each cell of your body has six feet of DNA.
  • C. On average, all cells are replaced about every 20 years.

• Notable Quote:

  • Guy Raz [09:08]: “If you were to unwind and stretch out the DNA in one of your cells, the length of your DNA would be about 6ft long. That's like the height of a refrigerator.”

• Winning Statement: B. Each cell of your body has six feet of DNA.

• Contestant Dax [08:42]: “Inside, each cell in your body has about six feet of DNA. There's enough DNA in your body to stretch from the sun and back 61 times.”

Insight: This reveals the incredible amount of genetic information contained within each cell, underscoring the complexity of living organisms.

Round 3: The Immensity and Tiny Scale of Cells

• Question Presented [11:11]:

  • A. Dennis set the record for the world's largest blood cell.
  • B. Most cells can live without oxygen for a whole week.
  • C. You can fit 10,000 cells from your body on the head of a pin.

• Notable Quote:

  • Mindy Thomas [12:16]: “Our cells are so tiny that you'd need 10,000 cells just to fill the head of a pin.”

• Winning Statement: C. You can fit 10,000 cells from your body on the head of a pin.

• Contestant Daisy [11:53]: “About 10,000 cells in your body could fit on the head of a pin.”

Insight: This statement emphasizes the incredibly small size of cells, making them nearly invisible to the naked eye and highlighting the intricate nature of biological life.

Conclusion: Wrapping Up the Cellular Exploration

Hosts Mindy and Guy wrap up the game show segment by congratulating the winning contestants and summarizing the key scientific insights about cells. They reinforce the awe-inspiring complexity and minuteness of cellular structures, encouraging young listeners to continue exploring the wonders of science.

• Guy Raz [13:32]: “Well, that's about all the time we have for today. But if you want to keep the fun going then become a member of the World Organization of wowzers and unlock hundreds of activities.”

• Mindy Thomas [13:58]: “And if you're a teacher out there listening, make sure you join tinkerclass. It's our free project based learning program.”

Key Takeaways

• Scale of Atoms vs. Cells: Atoms are significantly smaller than cells, with cells being up to 10,000 times larger.
• DNA Abundance: Each cell contains approximately six feet of DNA, leading to an immense total length of DNA in the human body.
• Cellular Size: The tiny size of cells allows for approximately 10,000 cells to fit on the head of a pin, showcasing their microscopic nature.

Additional Resources

Listeners are encouraged to engage further by visiting Tinkercast.com/PlanetWow to participate in eco-adventures and explore more about cellular science through interactive activities and resources.

Stay Connected:

• Join the World Organization of Wowzers: Unlock activities and receive exclusive content.
• Educators: Utilize Tinkerclass for free, project-based learning in the classroom.
• Follow Us: Find updates and interact with the community on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @owintheworld.
• Contact: Share your wows by emailing hellotinkercast.com or calling the wow hotline at 1-888-WOW-WOW.

For more exciting episodes and scientific wonders, tune in to "Wow in the World" every Monday and join the fun with "Two Whats?! And A Wow!" every Friday.