Natural World

Season 3 Episode 6: Peacocks, Parasites And The Puzzle Of Sex

What's the purpose of sex? To protect us from disease! Brian Leith unravels the intricate puzzle of sex and finds that: Males seem to be a waste of time and energy - many of the successful plants and animals (like the weeds in your garden) do without them altogether! Big animals - from polar bears to human beings - always have males as well as females - for a very good reason! The vital clue to the mystery lies in parasitism and infection. Out of the puzzle emerges a sparkling new theory of sex that looks set to keep biologists buzzing for years.

Genre:

Documentary

Seasons:

39

Episodes:

543

Cast:

David Attenborough, John Hannah, Juliet Stevenson

Quality:

HD

Duration:

50 min

First Air:

1983

Rating:

7.4