In Jane Goodall's Life Among the Chimpanzees, host Dermot O'Leary explores the groundbreaking work of a young woman who transformed our understanding of animal behavior and human origins. Jane Goodall’s determination and pioneering spirit took her from a typist in Bournemouth to a world-renowned primatologist. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Hair as Insulation, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod explores the role that human hair plays as insulation for the skin, focusing on how hair helps regulate body temperature in response to cold. Understand the physiological mechanisms that cause goosebumps and how mammals like polar bears use their dense fur to survive in extreme cold. Through understanding these biological processes, gain insight into the relationship between hair, insulation, and body temperature regulation. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In Earth's Epic Comebacks, geologist Iain Stewart explores how Earth's history of disasters has shaped life and sparked evolution. From dinosaurs thriving after a mass extinction to bacteria surviving an ice age, Earth has always found a balance between stability and chaos. Now, humans are changing the climate and marking a new era called the Anthropocene. The question is: can we protect the planet that makes life so incredible? This video is excerpted from BBC’s Earth: The Power of the Planet, a documentary series in which Dr. Iain Stewart discovers how Earth's forces can shape nature, species, and even the climate.
In Why We Love Baby Animals, host Harith Iskander explores the science behind the overwhelming urge humans feel to squeeze or cuddle baby animals. This feeling, known as cute aggression, is an evolutionary response. The brain releases dopamine, making us feel happy and protective when we see something cute. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Got Science?, a science magazine series that explores and explains science in everyday life.
In Fabulous Feathers, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod explores the feathers of birds and how they help them to fly. Learn how feathers are primarily made of keratin, a fibrous protein also found in human hair and nails. Feathers are lightweight yet strong and stiff, which allows birds to soar. Discover the unique structure of feathers, with parts such as the vane, barbs, and rachis working together to create the shape and function needed for flight. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In Octopus Evolution, ecologist David Scheel describes the journey through the unique evolutionary history of octopuses, showing how these incredible creatures took a completely separate path from other life forms. In his class at Alaska Pacific University, he explains how, over half a billion years ago, octopuses and humans might have shared a common ancestor — but since then, octopuses developed their own specialized brain, heart, and eyes! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Natural World: The Octopus in My House, a remarkable series about a professor and the extraordinary relationship he develops with an octopus when he invites it to live in his home.
In Microscopic Creatures on Your Skin, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod introduces some microscopic creatures known as skin mites. Scientists demonstrate how to collect skin samples from a person’s forehead using superglue and examine them under a microscope to find these organisms. The video explores how skin mites live on human skin, particularly on areas like the forehead and cheeks, and how magnification reveals these tiny creatures in great detail. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body's largest organ.
In The Role of Fingertips, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod presents the remarkable sensitivity of our fingertips and how this feature enables humans and animals to interact with their environment. See how mechanoreceptors detect textures and transmit information to the brain. Through innovative experiments, such as artificial fingertips used in robotics, understand the power and complexity of touch. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In Jane Goodall's Life Among the Chimpanzees, host Dermot O'Leary explores the groundbreaking work of a young woman who transformed our understanding of animal behavior and human origins. Jane Goodall’s determination and pioneering spirit took her from a typist in Bournemouth to a world-renowned primatologist. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Hair as Insulation, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod explores the role that human hair plays as insulation for the skin, focusing on how hair helps regulate body temperature in response to cold. Understand the physiological mechanisms that cause goosebumps and how mammals like polar bears use their dense fur to survive in extreme cold. Through understanding these biological processes, gain insight into the relationship between hair, insulation, and body temperature regulation. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In Earth's Epic Comebacks, geologist Iain Stewart explores how Earth's history of disasters has shaped life and sparked evolution. From dinosaurs thriving after a mass extinction to bacteria surviving an ice age, Earth has always found a balance between stability and chaos. Now, humans are changing the climate and marking a new era called the Anthropocene. The question is: can we protect the planet that makes life so incredible? This video is excerpted from BBC’s Earth: The Power of the Planet, a documentary series in which Dr. Iain Stewart discovers how Earth's forces can shape nature, species, and even the climate.
In Why We Love Baby Animals, host Harith Iskander explores the science behind the overwhelming urge humans feel to squeeze or cuddle baby animals. This feeling, known as cute aggression, is an evolutionary response. The brain releases dopamine, making us feel happy and protective when we see something cute. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Got Science?, a science magazine series that explores and explains science in everyday life.
In Fabulous Feathers, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod explores the feathers of birds and how they help them to fly. Learn how feathers are primarily made of keratin, a fibrous protein also found in human hair and nails. Feathers are lightweight yet strong and stiff, which allows birds to soar. Discover the unique structure of feathers, with parts such as the vane, barbs, and rachis working together to create the shape and function needed for flight. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In Octopus Evolution, ecologist David Scheel describes the journey through the unique evolutionary history of octopuses, showing how these incredible creatures took a completely separate path from other life forms. In his class at Alaska Pacific University, he explains how, over half a billion years ago, octopuses and humans might have shared a common ancestor — but since then, octopuses developed their own specialized brain, heart, and eyes! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Natural World: The Octopus in My House, a remarkable series about a professor and the extraordinary relationship he develops with an octopus when he invites it to live in his home.
In Microscopic Creatures on Your Skin, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod introduces some microscopic creatures known as skin mites. Scientists demonstrate how to collect skin samples from a person’s forehead using superglue and examine them under a microscope to find these organisms. The video explores how skin mites live on human skin, particularly on areas like the forehead and cheeks, and how magnification reveals these tiny creatures in great detail. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body's largest organ.
In The Role of Fingertips, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod presents the remarkable sensitivity of our fingertips and how this feature enables humans and animals to interact with their environment. See how mechanoreceptors detect textures and transmit information to the brain. Through innovative experiments, such as artificial fingertips used in robotics, understand the power and complexity of touch. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.