This lecture introduces the concept of heterogeneous collections in object-oriented programming using C++. It covers the implementation of generic treatments on instances of a class hierarchy through inheritance and virtual methods. The instructor explains the need for generic functions/methods to use reference arguments for processing based on the actual nature of the instance. Examples are provided to illustrate managing different classes of characters in a game using heterogeneous collections. The lecture discusses the dynamic resolution of links and the importance of using pointers/references for polymorphic behavior. It also highlights the potential risks of using pointers, emphasizing the importance of memory allocation and deallocation to ensure data integrity.