Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

The Infinite Monkey Cage

Podcasts

Factual: Science & Nature

Comedy

Entertainment

Comedy: Chat

Brian Cox and Robin Ince host an irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes.

Brian Cox and Robin Ince host a witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes.

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Infinite Monkey Cage: Series 16

The Infinite Monkey Cage: Series 16: Episode 3: Oxygen: A Matter of Life and Death

Documentaries

Episode 3

Episode 3: Oxygen: A Matter of Life and Death

Series 16

Oxygen: A Matter of Life and Death

BBC Radio 4 - The Infinite Monkey Cage, Series 16, Oxygen: A Matter of Life and Death

Brian Cox and Robin Ince take a look at the life and death properties of oxygen.

Brian Cox and Robin Ince dabble with some chemistry, as they talk about the life and death properties of oxygen: the toxic molecule we cannot live without.

Oxygen: a matter of life and death.

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined on stage by chemist Andrea Sella, science broadcaster and writer Gabrielle Walker and comedian Sara Pascoe to look at the life and death properties of oxygen. It's the molecule we simply can't live without, but as fate would have it, oxygen is also the molecule that eventually leads to our death. Hailed as an elixir of life, and foundation of the atmosphere, oxygen is the revolutionary element that quickens life and hastens death through its ferocious reactivity. It's the molecule our cells need, but is actually highly toxic to them, and is in the end what causes us to age. Brian and Robin get to grips with the chemistry of this contradictory molecule, and Andrea Sella tries not to cause too big an explosion by demonstrating oxygen's reactive nature using a digestive biscuit. 

Producer: Alexandra Feachem.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Witty and irreverent science chat with Brian Cox and Robin Ince

Brian Cox and Robin Ince present witty and irreverent science chat.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Infinite Monkey Cage

Series 16

Episode 3: Oxygen: A Matter of Life and Death

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4