Biology

In this course, Professor Jake Baum (Imperial College London) introduces us to eukaryotic cells, that is animal and plant cells. To do this, we begin by: (i) asking what we are made of, and what scientists decades and centuries ago thought about...

In this course, Professor Jon Scott (University of Leicester) takes us through the “sensory systems”. This begins with: (i) an overview of sensory systems, describing how the body receives and processes sensory stimuli; before the discussing some...

In this lecture, Dr Matthew Ivory (Cardiff University) introduces the human immune system, and some of the tools the body has at its disposal to fight off infections. To begin, we: (i) discuss the passive barriers and innate immune system; before...

In this course, Professor Matthew Cobb (University of Manchester) walks us through the history of how the modern human came to be. The modern version of the human was no more than a smart ape when it first appeared 50-60,000 years ago, but where...

In this course, Ms Aarushi Agrawal (King’s College London) talks about the cardiovascular system. We begin by: (i) looking at how the cardiac action potential differs from a general action potential; before (ii) looking at how muscles contract...

In this lecture, Dr Helen Wallace (University of Liverpool) teaches us about the microscopic structures in our lungs and blood that allow for the exchange and transport of the two gases involved in respiration: oxygen and carbon dioxide. To do so,...

In this lecture, Dr James Smith (University of East Anglia) introduces us to the use of stem cells in modern science. To do so, we begin by: (i) introducing the main features of a stem cells and their hierarchy; before (ii) looking at how Yamanaka...

In this course, Dr Izzy Jayasinghe (University of Sheffield) talks to us about microscopy, one of the most ubiquitous forms of analysis in biology. Microscopes have prevailed in modern science since their first development in the late 16th...

In this course, Dr Matthew Ivory (Cardiff University) talks about communicable disease. There are various different types of organisms that can cause disease that are transferred between individuals. We begin by looking at: (i) the definition of...

In this lecture, Professor Richard Bowater (University of East Anglia) talks about DNA, its structure, its replication and how it can code for proteins. To do so, we: (i) discuss the microscopic structure of DNA, looking at what each...

In this course, Dr Sarah Gretton (University of Leicester) talks about viruses. To do so, this series of mini-lectures expands on: (i) the impact of viral epidemics and pandemics throughout history, as well as understanding some key aspects of...

In this course, Professor Matthew Cobb (University of Manchester) walks us through the history of our ability to modify and manipulate the genetic code of individuals and populations around us. To do so, we begin by: (i) understanding what those...

In this course, Dr Daniel Baker (University of York) introduces the structure and function of the eye, and how alongside the brain it takes in and processes visual information. We begin by: (i) introducing how light enters the eye through its...

In this course, Professor Claire Smith (Brighton and Sussex Medical School) teaches us about surface anatomy. We begin by: (i) understanding what surface anatomy exactly is, and how it relates to other studies of the human body, and how variation...