Ep 1. What is Life?

Wonders of Life is a documentary series that explores the mysteries of life and the natural world. In season 1 episode 1, titled "What is Life?", Professor Brian Cox takes viewers on a journey to understand what life is and how it came to be.

The episode begins with the concept of entropy, the measure of the disorder of a system. Cox explains that a living organism can be seen as a decrease in entropy, as it creates order and complexity from simple molecules. He questions what makes something alive and distinguishes the characteristics of life from the non-living.

Cox takes viewers to the most extreme locations on Earth, such as the Atacama Desert and the volcanic fields of Ethiopia. He discusses extremophiles, organisms that thrive in extreme environments, and how they have adapted to survive. He also explores the various types of environments that life can exist in, including the deep ocean and the darkest caves.

The episode explores the origins of life, discussing the famous Miller-Urey experiment that demonstrated how the building blocks of life could be formed from a mixture of simple gases and electricity. Cox visits a laboratory where synthetic biology is being used to create artificial life, and discusses the ethical implications of such technology.

The episode also delves into the different theories of how life may have originated, including the idea that life on Earth may have been seeded from other planets or that it may have arisen from deep sea vents. Cox uses analogies and visual demonstrations to help explain complex scientific concepts in a way that is easy for viewers to understand.

Throughout the episode, Cox uses his enthusiasm for science to engage viewers and inspire their curiosity. He invites viewers to consider the mystery and wonder of the natural world and to appreciate the complexity of life.

Overall, season 1 episode 1 of Wonders of Life is an engaging and informative exploration of the mysteries of life. Cox's enthusiasm for science and his ability to make complex concepts accessible to viewers make this episode an excellent introduction to the series.