Episode 155: Embryology and Development

More from The Science of Everything Podcast

1. 

   E161 · 1 Mar 2026 · 51 min

   Episode 158: Quantum Electodynamics Part 1

   A detailed look into the physics and mathematics of quantum electrodynamics, the theory of how light and matter interact. We discuss the generalisation of the Schrodinger equation to the Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations, and howw these describe the propogation of light and fermions respectively. We then consider the process of computing transition probabilities between quantum states, including the S matrix and perturbation theory, and Wick's theorem. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 85: Introduction to Quantum Field Theory. If you enjoyed the podcast please consider supporting the show…

2. 

   E160 · 17 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 2 min

   Episode 157: The Geologic Time Scale

   A survey of the Earth's history through the lens of the geologic timescale. We begin with a discussion of the terminology of geochronologic units and how they are specified using 'golden spikes'. We then review the development of Earth's atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere through the Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, and Phanerozoic eons. We cover many topics including the supercontinent cycle, the great oxidation event, the evolution of eukaryotes, the Cambrian explosion, and mass extinctions. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 156: Fossils and Dating Methods. If you enjoyed the podcast…

3. 

   E159 · 30 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 11 min

   Episode 156: Fossils and Dating Methods

   An introduction to the techniques used to study the history and ages of geological speciments. We begin with an overview of chronostratigraphy, covering principles of relative dating, way up indicators, and biostratigraphy. We then discuss geochronology, including a review of early attempts to determine the age of the Earth, the principles and assumptions of radiometric dating, and the radioisotopes most commonly used for dating. Finally, we discuss processes and mechanisms of fossilisation, and review some of the most important classes of index fossils. Recommended pre-listening is Episode…

4. 

   E157 · 23 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 32 min

   Episode 154: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

   An overview of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), beginning from the basic physics of nuclear magnetic resonance, and covering the use of radiowaves to excite nuclear spin states, and the T1 and T2 modes of relaxation. We then explore how these phenomena are used to produce 3d images, including magnetic field gradients, frequency encoding, phase encoding, and Fourier transforms. We conclude with a discussion of functional imaging, including the haemodynamic response, the BOLD signal, echo planar imaging, and the steps of preprocesing. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 14: Principles of…

5. 

   E156 · 9 Jun 2025 · 1 hr 14 min

   Episode 153: Low Carb Diets

   A review of the carbohydrate insulin model of obesity and the related proposal that low carbohydrate diets are superior to traditional low fat diets. I begin with a discussion of the theory behind the carbohydrate insulin model, and then assess its plausibility using relevant evidence from rodent studies, dietary studies, ahd controlled feeding experiments. I argue that the scientific evidence does not support the alleged benefits of low carb diets for weight loss in otherwise healthy adults. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 151: Diet and Nutrition, and Episode 152: Obesity, Diabetes,…

6. 

   E155 · 4 May 2025 · 1 hr 16 min

   Special Episode: Brain Preservation and Abolishing Death

   An interview with Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, author of the book 'The Future Loves You: How and Why We Should Abolish Death'. We begin by discussing how best to define death, focusing on the idea of death as the permanent disruption of psychological identity, and how such identity is constituted by our personality, desires, and memories. We then consider the science of brain preservation, including the recently-developed technique of Aldehyde-Stabilized Cryopreservation, and how it could be used to indefinitely preserve the brain structure that encodes or personal identity. Ariel argues that…

7. 

   E167 · 30 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

   Episode 164: Gauge Theory and the Higgs Boson

   We conclude our series on the standard model with an introduction to gauge theory. We discuss how the requirement of local gauge invariance generates interaction terms in the Lagrangian, and introduce the U(1) x SU(2) x SU(3) group structure of the standard model. We also consider the problem of massive W and Z bosons, and how this was resolved by the introduction of the Higgs field and the mechanism of spontaneous symmetry breaking. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 163: The Standard Model of Particle Physics. If you enjoyed the podcast please consider supporting the show by making a…

8. 

   E166 · 8 Aug 2026 · 45 min

   Episode 163: The Standard Model of Particle Physics

   An introduction to the particles and forces that constitute the standard model of particle physics. After some historical background, we introduce each of the three fundamental forces that comprise the standard model - electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force. We then compare and contrast the different types of particles these forces interact with, including the difference between fermions and bosons, and between quarks and leptons. We consider the types of interactions experienced by these particles and the three generations of matter. Recommended pre-listening…

9. 

   E165 · 30 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 26 min

   Episode 162: Human Evolution

   Beginning with primitive Cynodonts in the late Permian, we our evolutionary development through Mesozoic mammaliaforms, the divergence of monotremes from marsupials and placentals, and culiminating in the emergence of primates in the early Cenozoic. Along the way we discuss the emergence of important traits such as the mammalian ear and various primate adaptations for arboreal life. We then discuss the sequence of hominin species in the lead up to to humans, including Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, Homo erectus, and Neanderthals. We conclude with an analysis of the emergence of distinctive…

10. 

    E164 · 1 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 33 min

    Episode 161: Dinosaurs and Other Ancient Reptiles

    A survey of extinct animal species from the Permian through the Cretaceous periods. We discuss important differences between anapsids, synapsids, and diapsids, and then review diverse species from all groups, including pelycosaurs, therapsids, parareptiles, euryapsids, pterosaurs, pseudosuchia, and dinosaurs. We also consider aspects including bipedal gait, endothermy, gigantism, and the cause of the end Cretaceous mass extinction. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 160: The Evolution of Animals. If you enjoyed the podcast please consider supporting the show by making a PayPal donation or…

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