Curated Video
What is an Ecosystem?
Discover how climate, water, soil, plants and animals function as one and depend on each other in distinct ecosystems, which can range from a pond to an ocean, a tree to a vast forest. Biology - Ecosystems - Learning Points. An ecosystem...
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Algae: Diverse and Vital Organisms of Our Ecosystems
Discover the amazingly diverse world of algae. These species come in all shapes and sizes, and are one of the most important groups of organisms on our planet. Biology - Ecosystems - Learning Points. Algae produce more oxygen than all...
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Oceans: Coral Seas
Coral seas are the most colourful and diverse habitats on Earth, built from a unique symbiotic relationship between coral larvae and algae. Biology - Ecosystems - Learning Points. Coral reefs are found in warm, tropical oceans and are...
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Early Man and Agriculture
Why was the development of early agricultural techniques a crucial evolutionary step? Discover how early farming techniques transformed Neanderthal Man. Biology - Adaptation And Evolution - Learning Points. The last ice age ended 12,000...
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Plants and Medicine
Discover how artichokes, garlic and poppies play important roles in medicine, pain management and the treatment of disease. Biology - Plants - Learning Points. The medicinal properties of plants have saved countless lives. Over half of...
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What is a Cell? - Life’s Building Blocks
Every living thing on our planet, from plants to animals, is made up of cells. Cells are the building blocks of life, but what are they and how do they work? Biology - Cells And DNA - Learning Points. All cells have vital genetic...
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Tropisms and Hormones
Discover the hormones that dictate whether a plant grows downwards with gravity, towards water and nutrients, or upwards towards light. Biology - Plants - Learning Points. Tropisms allow plants to seek out the best conditions for...
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The Carbon Cycle
Through organic matter, rocks and the oceans, the element central to all life on Earth is constantly on the move. Earth Science - Earth's Resources - Learning Points. The carbon cycle is a transfer of carbon between living matter and the...
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Tundra
Find out what animals and plants do to survive in Earth's coldest biome. Biology - Ecosystems - Learning Points. The tundra is Earth's coldest biome. The Arctic tundra is found near the North Pole. The alpine tundra is found around the...
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Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests are competitive environments where plants must compete for space and resources. But other dangers threaten the balance and future of these important habitats. Biology - Ecosystems - Learning Points. Tropical...
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Photosynthesis and Starch
We put three different plants under different conditions to demonstrate that both light and carbon dioxide are needed for photosynthesis to occur. A leaf from each plant is taken and heated in ethanol to remove the pigment. These are...
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Water Uptake in Plants
We place two privet hedge shoots under different conditions to see how the amount of water they draw up will change. They are both placed in measuring cylinders with the same amount of water and a layer of oil is added to the top to...
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Leaf Chromatography
We separate the different pigments in a beech leaf using chromatography. The leaf is broken up and ground with sand and propanone before being transferred to some chromatography paper. This is then lowered into pigment solvent and we can...
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Capillary Action
Water is added to dry and bent matchsticks to let us see capillary action at work. The wood absorbs the water causing the matchsticks to straighten. Biology - Plants - Learning Points. Water is a polar molecule because the electrons are...
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Sexual Reproduction in Plants
Discover the parts of plants necessary for reproduction, and the methods by which pollen is carried between flowers. Biology - Plants - Learning Points. Plants reproduce in various ways. Sexual reproduction occurs using male and female...
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Symbiosis: Mutualism
In nature, some animals depend on another species for survival. The special relationship between sea anemones and clown fish demonstrates how creatures in the same habitat can rely on each other for defence. Biology - Ecosystems -...
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Fossil Fuels: Formation
Where does our natural gas, coal and oil actually come from? Discover the processes that created our modern fossil-fuel reserves, which began millions of years ago. Earth Science - Earth's Resources - Learning Points. Fossil fuels are...
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Energy Transformation
Discover how energy from the Sun is converted into different forms, and what happens to energy that is 'lost' from a system. Physics - Energy And Radioactivity - Learning Points. The Sun provides almost all the energy on Earth. Energy...
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Cloning
A look at natural cloning and the main artificial cloning techniques devised by man, including embryo transplant and fusion cell cloning. Biology - Cells And DNA - Learning Points. Cloning occurs naturally in asexual reproduction in...
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Plant Mimics
From orchids that mimic the appearance of bees to the carrion flower which smells like rotting meat, discover the devious world of the plant mimic. Biology - Plants - Learning Points. Some plants use mimicry to aid reproduction or...
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Plants and Medicine: Aspirin
Aspirin is our most common painkiller. It has an amazing history, which can be traced back thousands of years to the Egyptians. Where does it come from and what makes it so special? Biology - Plants - Learning Points. Aspirin originates...
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Carbohydrate
Molecules such as sugar and starch, which form an important energy source for living organisms. A Twig Science Glossary Film. Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning images and concise textual definitions. Twig...
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Transpiration
The loss of water vapour from plants to the atmosphere. A Twig Science Glossary Film. Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning images and concise textual definitions. Twig Science Glossary Films reinforce abstract...
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Phloem
The tube-like tissue in plants that carries nutrients, including sugar and proteins, from cells in which they are made to where they are needed elsewhere in the plant. A Twig Science Glossary Film. Key scientific terms defined in just 60...