In a three-part series, Dr Adam Rutherford tells the extraordinary story of the scientific quest to discover the secrets of the cell and of life itself. Every living thing is made of cells, microscopic building blocks of almost unimaginable power and complexity.
Available until: 9:59pm Wednesday 2nd September 2009
BBC iPlayer links, until more universal links (YouTube, Google, etc. become available).
Accessible in the UK, or via a Proxy Server.
New zshare links thanks to scriptfu.
1. The Hidden Kingdom - BBC iPlayer
View on zshare
The first part explores how centuries of scientific and religious dogma were overturned by the earliest discoveries of the existence of cells, and how scientists came to realise that there was, literally, more to life than meets the eye.
2. The Chemistry of Life - BBC iPlayer
View on zshare (has a sign language lady in the corner)
This episode explores how scientists delved ever deeper into the world of the cell, seeking to reveal the magic ingredient that can spark a bundle of chemicals into life. Their discoveries have brought us to the brink of being able to create life for ourselves.
3. The Spark of Life - BBC iPlayer
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The final part reveals how our knowledge of cells has brought us to the brink of one of the most important moments in history. Scientists are close to repeating what has happened only once in four billion years - the creation of a new life form.
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