Did This Poison Help Create Life on Earth? | BBC Earth Science

Could cyanide, one of the most toxic chemicals known, have played a role in forming the building blocks of life? Dr Jiangfeng Xu examines whether this compound could have contributed to the chemistry that led to life on Earth. The clip also looks at what Mars might reveal about the origins of our own planet.

• Whether cyanide could have helped form the building blocks of life
• Dr Jiangfeng Xu explores the chemistry of early life
• What Mars might reveal about Earth's origins

Could one of the world's most toxic chemicals hold the secret to how life began? Dr Jiangfeng Xu investigates whether cyanide could have played a surprising role in creating the building blocks of life, and what Mars might reveal about our own planet's mysterious origins. This clip is from Science's Greatest Mysteries. Best of Earth Science: http://bit.ly/EarthLabOriginals Best of BBC Earth: http://bit.ly/TheBestOfBBCEarthVideos This is a channel from BBC Studios who help fund new BBC programmes. Service information and feedback: http://bbcworldwide.com/vod-feedback--contact-details.aspx