Careers in Science: Biologist

Blood Vessels Help Tumors Grow
In this video segment, adapted from NOVA, Dr. Judah Folkman uses the scientific method to discover how cancer cells induce the formation of new blood vessels, which in turn nourish those cancer cells.

Deep-Sea Vents and Life's Origins
Deep-sea vents are home to life forms that do not rely on the Sun's energy. They depend instead on energy from volcanoes on the ocean floor. This video segment adapted from NOVA hypothesizes that life on Earth may have begun in this extreme environment.

Double Immunity
Dr. Stephen O'Brien of the National Cancer Institute discovers a 700-year-old mutation that makes a person resistant to HIV infection. From Evolution: "Evolutionary Arms Race."

E. O. Wilson: Ants and Ecosystems
This segment is from an interview with ant specialist and biologist E.O. Wilson, filmed for Evolution: "Evolutionary Arms Race."

Evolving Ideas: How Does Evolution Really Work?
The process of evolution through natural selection is the focus of this video segment from Evolution, which presents a field study of hummingbird speciation in Ecuador.

Field Biology
This video segment from the teacher video series Learning That Works uses a case study to highlight the effectiveness of a project-based, real-world approach to teaching science.

Finding Disease Genes
This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" explains the process of finding genes that cause disease.

Fish with Fingers
In this video segment from Evolution: "Great Transformations," paleontologist Jenny Clack explains that vertebrates evolved fingers before they invaded land.

Gene Control
The development of creatures that appear to have nothing in common is directed by a surprisingly small number of genes. In this video segment, learn about the power of master control genes. Footage from The Secret of Life: "Birth, Sex & Death."

Genetic Therapy and Breast Tumors
This video segment from the Secret of Life School Video: "On the Brink: Portraits of Modern Science" explores the genetics of breast cancer.

Genetic Variation
This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" explores the genetic similarities and differences among organisms.

The Science Behind Appetite
This video segment, adapted from NOVA, tells the story of a ballerina battling anorexia. It explains how serotonin regulates appetite, and presents some of the health risks that accompany the eating disorder.

Homo Sapiens Versus Neanderthals
This video segment, adapted from NOVA, explores reasons why Homo sapiens had an advantage over Neanderthals in the pursuit of territory and natural resources.

Human Genome Project
This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" looks at the meaning and significance of the effort to decode the human genome.

The Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle
This video adapted from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department describes how humans are helping restore safe nesting grounds for the critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle to ensure its successful repopulation.

Ladybug Pajama Party
This video segment adapted from QUEST describes certain aspects of the life cycle of a species of ladybug found in the bay area.

Collection Developed by: KQED Public Television

Mirror Neurons
This video segment, adapted from NOVA scienceNow, introduces the latest research on a system of neurons that plays a part in how people relate to each other.

One Tree(s)
In this video segment adapted from SPARK , we learn about the work of scientist and artist, Natalie Jeremijenko as she turns San Francisco's many neighborhoods into a gigantic laboratory.

Collection Developed by: KQED Public Television

Permian-Triassic Extinction
In this video segment from Evolution: "Extinction!", geologist Peter Ward discusses evidence for a Permian-Triassic mass extinction.

The real C.S.I.
In this video segment from QUEST, learn about a specific area of forensics and how it is applied to areas of immigration.

Collection Developed by: KQED Public Television

RNAi Discovered
In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn how RNAi, a mechanism that has evolved in cells to prevent viral infection, was discovered and how it works.

The Sense of Taste
This video segment explores the sense of taste in humans -- why we have it, and what happens when we lose it. Footage from NOVA: "Mystery of the Senses: Taste."

Stem Cells: Seeds of Hope?
This video explores the basic scientific and ethical questions surrounding the use of stem cells in medical research.

The Teenage Brain
Why do teenagers act the way they do? This video segment from FRONTLINE: "Inside the Teenage Brain" explores the work scientists are doing to explain some of the mysteries of teenage behavior.

Transitional Tetrapod Fossil
In this video segment from NOVA: "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial," learn about the discovery of a well-preserved transitional fossil and how such transitional fossils support the theory of evolution.

Wild Animal Rehabilitation
In this video adapted from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, see how volunteers care for sick or injured animals. Also learn why human interaction is not always the best solution.