British Universities Film & Video Council

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Through the Looking Glass (5 Parts)

Synopsis
The 163rd Royal Institution Christmas Lectures series, in which Professor Charles Stirling FRS examines the chemistry of life.
1: How humans are lop-sided in the use of brains, eyes, ears, right down to fingerprints.
2: Left- and right-handedness in the natural world.
3: How the handedness of molecules governs the interaction between chemicals.
4: Our sex depends directly upon the handedness of a molecule. Examines the role of handed molecules such as testosterone and adrenalin in the survival of the species.
5: We are surrounded by huge handed molecules of a million atoms or more, such as carbohydrates and proteins, that control the structure of plants and animals. The ultimate giant present in the nuclei of all our cells is DNA.
Series
Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, The: Series
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 5 x 60 min.
Year of production
1992
Availability
Sale; 1995 sale: £55.00 (inclusive) series
Notes
Broadcast on BBC 2 daily from 28 Dec 1992.
Subjects
Chemistry
Keywords
biochemistry; DNA; handedness; molecules

Credits

Producer
Richard Melman; William Woollard
Cast
Charles Stirling 

Sections

Title
Man in the mirror
Synopsis
1: How humans are lop-sided in the use of brains, eyes, ears, right down to fingerprints.

Title
Narwhals, palindromes and Chesterfield Station
Synopsis
2: Left- and right-handedness in the natural world.

Title
Handed molecule, The
Synopsis
3: How the handedness of molecules governs the interaction between chemicals.

Title
Symmetry, sensation and sex
Synopsis
4: Our sex depends directly upon the handedness of a molecule. Examines the role of handed molecules such as testosterone and adrenalin in the survival of the species.

Title
In the hands of giants
Synopsis
5: We are surrounded by huge handed molecules of a million atoms or more, such as carbohydrates and proteins, that control the structure of plants and animals. The ultimate giant present in the nuclei of all our cells is DNA.

Production Company

Name

INCA

Notes
Use for: Independent Communications Associates

Sponsor

Name

Shell

Distributor

Name

INCA (London) Ltd

Contact
William Woollard
Email
incaltd@dial.pipex.com
Web
http://www.inca-productions.com/index.htm External site opens in new window
Phone
020 8748 9600
Fax
020 8748 9607
Address
INCA House
67 Castlenau
Barnes
London
SW13 9RT

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