For this instalment in the Everything you ever wanted to know about… series, we’ve sourced questions from Google, our listeners and the Science Focus team to put to experts and help you understand key ideas in science, in short episodes.
This week, we’re joined by geneticist Sir Paul Nurse, the Director of the Francis Crick Institute in London and one of the recipients of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which he shared with Leland Hartwell and Timothy Hunt.
Paul has recently published a book that helps readers understand biology, called What is Life? (£9.99, David Fickling Books). He shared some of the concepts from the books with us over two quick-fire episodes.
Cells
Paul explains why cells are the building blocks of life on Earth in part one.
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Genes and heredity
For part two, Paul talks genes, heredity, evolution and Erasmus Darwin.
Read the full transcription [opens in a new window]
Listen to more episodes of the Science Focus Podcast:
- Everything you ever wanted to know about… cancer with Dr Kat Arney
- Everything you ever wanted to know about… the deep sea with Dr Jon Copley
- Everything you ever wanted to know about… illusions, magic and the paranormal with Prof Richard Wiseman
- Everything You Wanted To Know About… Physics with Jim Al-Khalili
- Nathan Lents: Everything that’s wrong with the human body
- Merlin Sheldrake: How have fungi shaped the world?
Authors
Amy is the Editorial Assistant at BBC Science Focus. Her BA degree specialised in science publishing and she has been working as a journalist since graduating in 2018. In 2020, Amy was named Editorial Assistant of the Year by the British Society of Magazine Editors. She looks after all things books, culture and media. Her interests range from natural history and wildlife, to women in STEM and accessibility tech.
