British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Life is Impossible

Synopsis
Looks at theories on the origins of life. When did life begin and did it evolve on earth, in the sea or in space? In 1953, scientists thought that they had found the answer with a recipe for a primordial ‘soup’ that produced the amino acids which make up protein. But 40 years later, the problem is seen to be far more complicated. Perhaps comets and meteorites were responsible for the beginnings of life or these might have emerged from hydrothermal vents in the ocean, protected from the impact of falling meteorites. A simpler ‘life’ may have started the process. Newer research suggest that biology may have begun in the molten world below the ocean floor.
Series
Horizon, Series
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 48 min.
Year of production
1993
Availability
Sale; 2000 sale: £99.00 (+VAT +p&p)
Notes
Broadcast on BBC2 on 28 June 1993.
Subjects
Astronomy; Geology
Keywords
origins of life; palaeobiology

Credits

Producer
John Lynch
Contributor
Jana Bennett

Production Company

Name

BBC Television

Distributor

Name

BBC Active Video for Learning - now BBC Learning

Contact
Carolina Fernandez Jeremy Wilcox (CF - for educational enquiries JW - channel sales manager)
Email
BBCStudiosLearning@bbc.com
Web
https://www.bbcstudioslearning.com/ External site opens in new window
Phone
+44 (0) 20 8433 1009
Address
BBC Studios Limited
Television Centre
101 Wood Lane
London
W12 7FA
UK
Notes
The BBC Active company has now been absorbed within BBC Learning, a division of BBC Studios. It was originally a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Pearson Education. Formerly known as ‘BBC Worldwide Learning Studies’ and before that as ‘Videos for Education & Training’

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