History Channel - Evolve The Ultimate Story of Survival (2008) Part 5 Skin

Innovate or die. Evolve or face extinction. It's a tough, violent, and lethal world out there, and it's been that way since the dawn of time. Roughly 99 percent of all species have become extinct. What enabled that other one percent to survive the cutthroat competition? Their ability to…. EVOLVE. For man, beast and nature, it's been a constant battlefield. This fascinating series blends spectacular live-action natural history sequences, lifelike computer graphics, epic docudrama and experimental science to illustrate the never-ending struggle to prevail. Examine every facet of a single trait, from origin to modern incarnation, through a stunning combination of dramatizations, computer animations, live action nature footage and lab work, discover the biological and behavioral innovations that have kept us all on this Earth! We see how some strategic advantages were anatomical in nature (eyes, jaws, body armor), while others were related to behavior (movement, communication, sex). Each episode attempts to explain the evolutionary origins of a particular trait of living creatures for example, Tyrannosaurus rex's 13-inch teeth, the gecko's “Velcro-like” toe pads, the bald eagle's “telescopic” vision capable of spotting a hare a mile away, and how the shark evolved its mode of reproduction, which eventually came to resemble that of humans. From dinosaurs to jellyfish, these are only a few of the creatures and many more that HISTORY analyzes to give a complete qualitative dissection of their evolution. Discover what has propelled creatures large and small to survive. Trace the history and importance of these adaptations from their earliest beginnings to today. It's nature's longest lasting battle and every creature on Earth is part of it. The EVOLVE series follows the historical trail of these adaptations from their origins to the present. It is the battle that nature has waged for centuries and in which every being on earth is and remains involved. The series premiere, “Eyes”, was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Science, Technology and Nature Programming.

Part 5 Skin

This episode looks at how skin has changed and adapted to virtually any challenge it has faced throughout history. Skin is absolutely amazing, far more complex and versatile than we ever give it credit for. It makes up 16 percent of your body weight, is the largest organ in the human body, allows birds to fly and mammals to nurse their young, an provides a lifelong defense against predators and parasites alike. From the delicate membranes that encased the earliest animals to the leathery hides that protected the dinosaurs, discover skin in all its forms in this fascinating episode.

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