Origin of Life, The

Synopsis

A Royal Institution Discourse by Professor John Maynard Smith about heredity and DNA, the essential features of life. Heredity is the property that like begets like, DNA stores and transmits genetic information, and proteins do all the work. They are connected by the genetic code, whereby DNA specifies what kinds of proteins can be made. The process of translation is well understood, but it is far too complicated to have arisen by chance in the primitive oceans, yet all life we know depends upon it. How can this apparent paradox be resolved?

Series

Royal Institution Discourses, Series

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 60 min.

Year of production

1995

Availability

Sale; 2000 sale: £25.00 (+VAT inc. p&p)

Subjects

Biology

Keywords

DNA; genetics

Credits

Writer

John Maynard Smith

Cast

John Maynard Smith

Production Company

Name

INCA

Notes

Use for: Independent Communications Associates

Sponsor

Name

BBC Television

Distributor

Name

Vega Science Trust

Email

vega@vega.org.uk

Web

http://www.vega.org.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

01273 678 726

Address

Sussex Innovation Centre
Science Park Square
Brighton
BN1 9SB

Notes

Well-established maker and distributor of more than 200 programmes on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, many of which have been broadcast. Vega’s videos aim to give a fundamental understanding of principles of nature and the physical world. Outstanding scientists/communicators are directly involved with each video so that they can guide content of the programmes. Science is presented in a natural way as an intellectually challenging discipline and the videos fill the gap in TV coverage by presenting well-informed analyses on serious science-related ethical, economic, social, health and other issues. Separate series consist of interviews with eminent scientists, science video lectures, issues of current scientific concern, the Royal Institution Discourses, scientific masterclasses, and recent research projects. Programmes available for free viewing via the website and some also for sale on DVD.