KYTOS Biology

In this second podcast of the series, I describe the initial three-month journey from embryo to foetus, in a period known as the first trimester. I'll examine the significant developments that occur, not only in terms …

Human embryonic development is the development and formation of the human embryo. It is characterised by the processes of cell division and cellular …

Any person, at any stage of their life, can experience an eating disorder. Of people with eating disorders in the UK, around 10% have Anorexia …

Head lice, or Pediculosis capitis, is a common condition caused by infestation of the scalp with head lice. While some people can have lice …

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is recognised to be an autoimmune disease that causes preclinical systemic abnormalities and eventually leads to synovial inflammation and destruction of the joint architecture. Our …

Vasectomy is a safe, effective, and permanent method of birth control for men. It is also the most cost-effective form of birth control, costing half …

Acne is a common skin condition where the pores of your skin become blocked by hair, sebum (an oily substance), bacteria and dead skin cells. Those …

Microbial genes have been found to perform a variety of functions including coding for enzymes to hydrolyse food we can't digest, coding for proteins …

2020 proved to us all that health is unpredictable. The pandemic, not only catalysed a global crisis as services were strained and lives were lost, but also forever altered the way we practice medicine. We saw a 50% …

Autism is lifelong developmental disorder with no known cures. A significant amount of research has been conducted into the causes of autism and research is increasing into the treatment of autism. Given that research …

Culling is defined as the killing of animals in order to reduce population numbers. Culls can happen for various reasons, including health and …

There's no doubt that Gregor Mendel is one of the great biologists of our time. His findings on inheritance led to multiple new fields of research, …

Sometimes, scientists can take advantage of real-world incidents to help us understand the function of particular parts of the brain. Psychologists …

There will always be elements of near death experiences (NDE's) that are difficult to explain scientifically. This is partly because researchers are …

Are ‘ordinary’ people capable of carrying out wicked and immoral acts against other individuals, if the context suggests that is what is expected of them? These are the questions that Philip Zimbardo was trying to …

Just one week before I recorded this podcast, the FDA, the Food and Drug Administration authorised e-cigarette products for use in the US for the …

How keen is your sense of smell? Well, according to new research published in Frontiers in Psychology, people who witnessed a crime are able to …

Forensics labs are frequently asked to examine documents to determine if they have been altered or forged. An altered document is an original, valid document that has been changed in some way. For example, one common …

COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the term given to a group of diseases which affect the lungs. These include emphysema and chronic …

Obesity is rising dramatically across the world. Since 1975 it is estimated that the number of obese people has almost tripled. One of the chronic diseases that is linked to obesity is type 2 diabetes. The dramatic rise …

By not being exposed to agents that stimulate our immune system in infancy, we are at greater risk of developing inflammatory responses and …

Sepsis is a condition which results from an uncontrolled and disorganised reaction of the body to an infection. If it is caught at an early stage, a …

How did people in the past treat illness, injury and disease? What medicines or 'magic' did they use? In this first of a series of short podcasts, I explore the concept of natural illness vs the supernatural in …

English teacher Felicia Isaacs joins KYTOS once again, to discuss the Biology behind one of her favourite poems, 'Death of a Naturalist', by renowned …

Hormones are chemical messengers that have a specific physiological effect in the body. Research suggests that hormones also have considerable …

In the hope that it might provide a solution to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, a new treatment is currently receiving a lot of …

There is evidence that, when the solar system was young, conditions on Mars and Venus may have been suitable for life. The surface of Mars has …

Coral reefs are widely regarded as some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. They provide habitat for approximately 25% of all marine species but surprisingly account for a microscopic 0.1% of the world’s ocean …

In this podcast, I discuss the characteristics of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), also known as Multiple Personality Disorder and review the …

The prostate gland grows in men at puberty and secretes the fluid that carries the sperm. It remains a constant size until about the age of forty, then it begins to grow again. About 50% of men aged 60 have some …

The biology behind Shelley's Frankenstein in an unquestionably fascinating subject. Since the bicentenary of the novel, Frankenstein or The Modern …

Many biologists consider the microbes in our bodies to be, effectively, another body organ. The bacteria in our intestines help to release nutrients …

Actions taken at the outset of an investigation at a fire and arson scene can play a pivotal role in the resolution of a case. Careful, thorough …

Forensic entomology involves the application of insect and other arthropod biology in legal investigations. Imagine a scenario whereby a dead body …

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to alter its structure and function in response to new learning or changes in the environment. Therefore, when it is said that the human brain is ‘plastic’, it means malleable and …

Whooping cough, also called ‘the cough of 100 days’, is an acute and highly contagious disease of the upper respiratory tract caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is transmitted via droplets in the air from …

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that can be explained by cognitive psychology and theories of memory. Evidence from fMRI scans show that the brain …

Why would someone elect to have their eggs frozen? The main reason is to store these delicate cells so that they can be used in the future. The …

I've been teaching for well over a decade now, and in that time, I’ve supported countless medics, vets, dentists, biomed students, biological …

The situational factors that influence any type of social interaction (e.g. the physical environment, the presence of other people) can be applied to sport in very specific ways. This podcast will consider some of the …

It is crucial that animals with a cardiovascular system can slow (and ultimately prevent) blood loss from injury or damage to body tissues. In …

As we begin to unlock the secrets held in our DNA, we could all live healthier, for a lot longer - but how much longer is the key question…how far …

Rewilding offers a possible solution to reverse our rapidly deteriorating rural landscape. The natural world is often seen as a resource merely to …

Around 273 million sharks are killed each year globally. They’re feared as the archetypal killing machine, and there’s profit to be made from shark-derived products; but they may be more economically and environmentally …

Worldwide, the number of potential pathogens is very large, while the resources for disease research and development is limited. To ensure efforts under the World Health Organisation’s blueprint are focused and …

We are all born with the neural architecture and ability to develop empathy and compassion, but to remain a good person, we must have a series of positive experiences throughout our lives. The Pygmalion effect may …

The perceived role of God in illness and recovery is a primary influence upon the health care beliefs and behaviours of people. Only by understanding …

In May 2017, the Brazilian government declared an end to the public health emergency posed by the Zika Virus. Now, a new disease is threatening Brazil. An outbreak of yellow fever in rural parts of the country is …

Since capital punishment was reinstated by the US Supreme Court in 1976, 932 people have been put to death via lethal injection, 154 by electrocution, 11 by means of the gas chamber, 3 have been hung and 2 have been …

We might perceive attraction as a free choice, but scientists have provided a number of different explanations about how attraction happens. …

Microscopic plankton are essential components of aquatic food chains and food webs. They are amongst the most abundant organisms on the planet, yet many people underestimate the environmental impact of plankton …

Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the membranes (meninges) that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. As there are numerous causes of meningitis, there is no one vaccination to offer protection because, …

One theory of addiction (and one that has popular appeal outside of psychology) is that of the addictive personality. This theory states that some …

In order to understand forgetting, we must have an understanding of memory. According to the Oxford English Dictionary memory is “the faculty by …

The view that we are born with a certain level of fixed intelligence is outdated. The environment plays a role in the way children are nurtured and …

Many would argue that until we can develop ways of empirically demonstrating how alleged telepathic communication occurs, research into telepathy …

An adult organism is not a static being but continues to change and develop, until the developmental processes are brought to an end by death. The …

The concept of androgyny, it has been suggested, offers a means of transcending the duality of gender differences imposed by culture. Once gender …

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health disorder characterised by psychosis and the inability to recognise reality. Positive symptoms of the disorder are those which happen in addition to everyday experiences, including …

For a long time, biologists believed that our DNA resided only in the nucleus, the large organelle acting as the control centre in our cells. It …

In December 2019, the city of Wuhan in Hubei province China, became the centre of a suspected outbreak of pneumonia. At first, no-one was able to establish a cause. Health authorities immediately investigated the nature …

A human liver is estimated to carry out over 500 different functions, including metabolism, detoxification and the synthesis of key proteins and …

Statins are designed to lower cholesterol levels in those deemed at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In this podcast, I'll discuss how …

Rickets is a condition characterised by a curvature of the spine, bowed legs, thickened ankles, knees and wrists - such skeletal deformities arise because the bones become softer and therefore more brittle. Rickets was …

The human body is made up of about 30–40 trillion cells. Each cell is specialised to carry out a particular job. Cells work together to form …

Scientists use the concept of homology to identify evolutionary relationships among organisms. Homologies are characters shared between different …

Zika virus was first identified in 1947, having originated in rhesus monkeys in the Zika forest in Uganda. In this podcast, I examine how the virus spread, the effects of its outbreak, and assess the evidence …

In this podcast, I'll be exploring a number of issues around the use of Class A drug, Ecstasy. Ecstasy is the street name for a version of MDMA, or 3,4 methylenedioxy-methamphetamine. It is an illegal, synthetic drug …

Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women, whilst it accounts for just 1% of cancers in men. The incidence of breast cancer in women is increasing, but, encouragingly, the mortality rate from it is falling. In this …

Long lasting immunity to disease is provided through memory cells and the production of antibody-secreting plasma B lymphocytes. These come about through our cell-mediated and humoral responses to invading pathogens, …

Our bodies have the innate ability to prevent harmful pathogens from infecting them; namely through physical barriers to infection and the process of …

Medical imaging includes all of the non-invasive techniques used to create images of the human body for medical purposes. It is used to diagnose or monitor the progress of disease, and for medical science in the study …

More than 99% of the species that ever existed have become extinct. The concept of de-extinction, therefore, seems to hold so much promise. …

Through doping, we now fully understand the use by athletes of substances prohibited by the anti-doping agencies in order to gain a competitive …

In this podcast, I'll be discussing the controversial issues surrounding euthanasia and assisted suicide, asking whether medical professionals have the right, or even the responsibility to partake in either. Both active …

75% of our leading global food crops require insect pollination, and bees are the major pollinators. In this podcast, I'll be discussing whether a …

The term ‘Multiple Sclerosis’ refers to the replacement of myelin, a fatty substance that forms a protective sheath around neurones, with scar …

Animal testing, also known as vivisection, normally elicits strong responses from people, both for and against the procedures. The role of animal …

We all understand the importance of a healthy balanced diet, but how many of us truly appreciate the role that dietary fibre plays. It has been …

In this podcast,  I give my 'Top 10 Tips and Tricks' for when it comes to revising for exams. Everyone has their own learning style and method of …

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the development of a blood clot in a major deep vein in the leg, thigh, pelvis, or abdomen. They may be asymptomatic; however, there may be asymmetrical leg swelling, unilateral leg pain, …

Virtually all organisms have some sort of parasite living on or inside them. Fleas, lice and ticks have caused problems for humans for thousands of years. These creatures bite the skin, suck the blood and transmit …

By the 18th century wolves had been hunted to extinction in the UK. Their numbers have declined across Europe and the U.S, although they remain …

Politician and first President of Israel, Chaim Wiezmann is less well known for his work on the acetone-butanol fermentation process, but this in …

In this high tech world of DNA fingerprinting, computerised bloodstain spatter analysis, and video imaging, one might say that it seems a little mundane to discuss something as simple as shoe print analysis. …

According to Age UK, more than 2 million people in England over the age of 75 live alone, and more than a million older people say they go for over a …

Forensic Scientist Georg Popp is credited with being the first to use soil evidence to solve a crime; the 1904 murder of Eva Disch. Since then, …

According to recent research, facial expressions do not reveal our emotions, but instead, our intentions and social goals. It is possible to hide behind them, however? Can we learn to read body language to detect …

In this podcast, I describe the various techniques employed, including mass spectrometry to confirm aspirin toxicity. Toxicology is the study of …

Every person’s handwriting is unique and personalised. It is difficult to disguise or forge, but analysis can provide a useful tool in forensics in …

Tool marks refer to cuts, gouges or abrasions caused by tools or other such instruments. They can leave striations on softer surfaces that match …

The brain receives huge amounts of information from outside our body via our sense organs, and it has to integrate all of this information, and direct parts of our body to respond, and take action. It does so via …

The Medical journal 'The Lancet' called Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) "the most important medical advance of the 20th Century". This simple, low-tech, low-cost treatment is able to prevent death stemming from …

What makes something, or more specifically someone, evil? Is it down to nature, or nurture - can some humans really be born with evil intent? In this …

'Love is heavy and light, bright and dark, hot and cold, sick and healthy, asleep and awake - its everything except what it is' - the real question …

'Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock' - This is the second instalment in the series looking at 'The Science of Shakespeare', and rather fittingly, was recorded during the week …

'Macbeth does murder sleep' - is this the reason why Shakespeare's character has delusions and paranoid thoughts? In this podcast, I'm joined by English teacher Felicia Isaacs, who gives her perspective on whether …

Karyotyping is a laboratory procedure that allows your doctor to examine your set of chromosomes.  The karyotype of a living organism refers to the number and appearance of the chromosomes, and allows for both the …

In this podcast, I discuss the cohesive, thermal and solvent properties of one of the most crucial biological molecules there is - water. By …

The Pernkopf Topographic Anatomy of Man, an anatomy reference book published in 1937 by a Nazi doctor, continues to be the most widely used anatomy book by surgeons. Its' gruesome history, however, has forced people to …

If you're a fan of true crime stories or detective novels, you might think that gunshot residue, or a carelessly left fingerprint on a surface would …

Despite the several thousand cosmetic surgery operations performed each year in the UK, research carried out by the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons suggested that 65% of former …

Biology is cited on the HESA website (the central source for statistics about UK higher education) as one of the most valuable courses to study at …

In this podcast, I describe the nature of several general defects of the eyes, including Myopia and Hypermetropia, Astigmatism, Presbyopia, Strabismus or Misaligned eyes and Amblyopia (lazy eye). I also describe …

I'm thrilled once again to be joined by Year 13 Biology student Yasmin, who, in a very similar vein to the podcast about The Lion King, takes a …

In this thought-provoking podcast, Year 11 biologist Roz P explores the notion that modern society is responsible for the development of eating …

In this podcast, I’ll discuss the two main surgical methods of treatment for CHD; angioplasty and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). The term ‘angioplasty’ refers to the use of a balloon to stretch open a narrowed …

The unique blend of Astronomy and Biology can provide an insight into how life may have started here on Earth. That knowledge would be crucial in our …

In this podcast, Year 13 Biology student Yasmin 0 explores the connections between Quantum Physics and Biology. One might not immediately appreciate …

It is estimated that there are between 12,500 and 15,000 people with Sickle Cell Disease in the UK. In this podcast, I will describe the autosomal recessive mutation that lies at the heart of the condition, the signs …

The MMI, or Multiple Mini Interview is a relatively new way in which universities select entrants on to their medical and dentistry courses. In this …

If we know that blood is red, why do textbooks still perpetuate the idea that deoxygenated blood is blue? When one looks down at their wrists, we see ‘blue veins’, but why? I decided to conduct my own study into …

When giving an intramuscular injection into the Deltoid muscle, it is important to understand how the Axillary nerve and its’ branches are …

In this podcast, I’ll be taking a look at the Biology behind tattoos, from the anatomical arrangement of skin layers and how the ink is retained, to …

Why would anyone want to pay for private medical services, when they could be treated on the NHS for free? Is one really better than the other? In …

In this short podcast, I summarise the different forms of reproductive isolating mechanisms, by looking at those that occur before fertilisation …

Ever since the emergence of social media back in the early 2000’s, questions have been raised about the potentially harmful effects it has on mental …

Could superheroes live among us?... perhaps not heroes, but what about super-humans? Do people exist who possess extraordinary abilities, or could we …

The majority of genetic disorders have a recessive inheritance pattern, but Huntington's Disease is an autosomal dominant condition. In this podcast, I discuss the cause (expanding CAG nucleotide repeats) and the …

From evolutionary theory to IVF and fertility, a number of podcasts I have recorded mention aspects of reproduction. In this podcast, I take it back …

Why would an animal cell contain mitochondria with 70S ribosomes, organelles typically found inside prokaryotic cells? This podcast aims to answer …

In this podcast, I discuss three key aspects of animal behaviour, namely social organisation, the evolution of altruistic behaviour and the …

An ECG (electrocardiogram) is a medical test that records the electrical activity of the heart (or more specifically, the depolarisation and …

ASD, or autistic spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behaviour. Animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic intervention for patients with ASD, that incorporates animals as part of …

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in mental ability, severe enough to affect daily life. The key question that this podcast wishes to raise, is to what extent …

In this podcast, I describe the structure of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and the important roles this macromolecule performs. 

How much value can we place on GSR evidence? With reference to past criminal cases, I describe what GSR (gunshot residue) is, the methods we employ to detect it, and why GSR evidence has, on occasion, been inadmissible …

Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes to gene function and expression that are a result of environment factors, and not the result of …

In this podcast, I’ll describe the location of the thyroid gland with reference to key anatomical landmarks, discuss the significant and rather …

In this podcast, I'm joined by Year 9 student Poppy GT, who discusses what really goes on in our brains when we sleep. She will also explain the science behind some of the most fascinating concepts, including REM sleep …

In this podcast, I discuss the nature of partial and generalised seizures, and explain how a diagnosis of epilepsy is made. With reference to clinical cases in my own family, I describe how the condition can be managed …

My mother-in-law (Lesley) has a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy, and experiences complex partial seizures. The condition has had a profound effect on her day to day life – not just in terms of the medication she takes, …

In this podcast, I'm joined by former A-Level Biology student Emma Thornton, who describes the CRISPR gene editing technique and its possible future …

In this podcast, the first of a series on First Aid Essentials, I discuss how to ascertain the level of responsiveness in a casualty, how to carry out checks for open airways and normal breathing and explain the …

How well do you know your neighbour? Well enough to recognise the sound of their voice - even in a crowded room...well enough to testify in a court of law to that effect? In this podcast, I discuss the key areas of …

Imagine that you can design your own respiratory airways – what would they look like? This is a question I ask my own students, to see if they bring …

This podcast is aimed at those students sitting their Biology A-Levels, or more specifically, those sitting the AQA Paper 3 at A2, with the synoptic …

Research suggests that conservation investment will become inconsequential as the human population grows. Why is that? In this podcast, I try to …

On the face of it, you can look at this movie as a coming of age story, or perhaps one about family, redemption and even power struggles. If we take a slightly different approach, however, you might be surprised at just …

Do shows like CSI have a negative influence on peoples’ interpretation of the criminal justice system, and on forensic science practices? In this podcast, Mr I discusses what the latest research suggests is the case.

In this podcast, I delve into the story behind Aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that scientists often hail as a wonder drug. Quite …

Why is it important to breed with members of the same species? Is there any benefit to forming a committed pair bond with your partner...and what exactly are birds saying to one another through their birdsong? Discover …

A vaccine is the administration of a weak or dead pathogen, designed to stimulate a primary immune response. What exactly does that response entail, …

Thank you for listening to this special podcast on the UCAT (formerly known as UKCAT) and BMAT – these are the two big entrance exams that students must sit to get onto certain Medical, Dental, Veterinary and Biomedical …

As the title suggests, this podcast is all about bones – why study them, what can they tell us about their owners, and how can that information be …

In this podcast, Mr I will discuss hair structure and morphology, and how forensic analysis of fibres can help bring about a conviction, or simply be …

In this thought-provoking, and perhaps controversial podcast, Mr I sits down with the Head of Psychology at Tormead, Mr Dan Wilkinson, to explore the …

In this podcast, Year 13 Biology student Emma T discusses bioluminescence, a phenomenon in which organisms produce their own light. She will describe …

Studies have suggested that there are 3 key reasons why medical professionals struggle to deliver bad news. In this podcast, I discuss what those reasons are, and the significant impact they potentially have on clinical …

The development of insulin for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus by Banting et al, is regarded by many as one of the greatest biological discoveries …

The common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) has been the test subject from which some of the 20th century's greatest biological discoveries have …

In this podcast, I discuss how blood pattern analysis can aid forensic investigators make sense of a crime scene, and reveal why the technique is viewed by some professionals as controversial. 

In this personal study of psychopathology, I describe the nature of obsessive compulsive disorders. This podcast will outline the key characteristics …

In 1901, Sir Edward Henry provided the foundations on which modern day fingerprint classification systems are based.  In this podcast, I refer to a number of high profile criminal cases where fingerprint evidence has …

The contributions that HeLa cells have made in the fields of Science and Technology are vast. In this podcast, I'm joined by Year 13 Biology student …

In this podcast, I outline the steps involved in genetically engineering Golden Rice as a means of preventing Vitamin A (retinol) deficiency. 

In this podcast, we look at the process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death. What is the exact mechanism behind this self destruction, and when …

How useful is an offender profile in catching a perpetrator? In this podcast, we look at the field of Forensic Psychology, and discuss how criminal …

Leaving a career in Medicine wasn't a difficult decision for me to make - the thing is, I never really wanted to do it in the first place! In this …

Working as a counsellor in the criminal justice system, Charlotte (Mrs I) has seen first-hand how addiction can transform lives. In this podcast, she will discuss the disease model of addiction, whilst Mr I will delve a …

In this podcast, we takes a look at the current developments in kidney transplantation and discusses the key functions of these vital organs.  

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change." Did Charles Darwin actually say this, and what exactly does his theory of natural …

In this podcast, Mr I describes how cultural, chemical and biological pest control have all been used to increase yield and productivity. As a means …

In the UK, around 1 in 7 couples experience difficulty conceiving. In this podcast, Mr I explains how the IVF process works, and discusses the causes …

The heart beats an incredible 115,200 times a day, but what exactly causes a heart beat? This podcast will discuss how the natural pacemaker (SAN) …

What is it about teeth that makes them such a useful forensic tool? With reference to infamous killer Ted Bundy, Mr I examines the scope of forensic …

In this podcast, Mr I discusses how the founder effect and genetic bottlenecks (both sub categories of genetic drift) could lead to the formation of …

What exactly do we mean by cancer? Essentially, cancer is the uncontrolled proliferation of cells which lead to the formation of a tumour. The …

In this podcast, Mr I discusses two recently published articles about HIV therapy. CD4 T lymphocytes are known to act as viral reservoirs in those on …

As I look into the eyes of my rescue greyhound Luca, I wonder if the connection goes deeper than him simply wanting to be fed. They say that dogs are …

What are stem cells, and how can we harvest them to treat disease? Moreover, which type of stem cell should we use?

What happens to a body after death, and how can an autopsy reveal the exact cause, manner and time of death?

In this podcast, Mr I describes the group of symptoms that characterises dementia, with focus on Alzheimer's disease.

Emma T (Year 13 Biology student) discusses the mechanisms that might allow humans to use photosynthesis.

Just how unreliable are facial composites based on eyewitness testimony, and how might biometrics help?

With stories of 'miracle cures' for diseases like cancer being shared thousands of times on social media, Mr I considers the consequences of fake medical news.

Why do we have innate behaviours, and what distinguishes them from learnt responses?

The Top 10 Deadly Poisons are revealed in the first KYTOS Biology Podcast - with reference to real life cases!