Here's the third in biochemist Michael Behe's series of five minute videos titled Secrets of the Cell. In this episode Behe mentions how many of the structures found in living organisms are being studied for possible applications in our own technology.
Along the way he discusses a fascinating aspect of leafhopper anatomy. Leafhoppers are insects which possess the ability to jump enormous distances relative to their body size. This ability is facilitated by actual gears at the base of their jumping legs.
So how did these organisms develop these amazing machines? Was it purely by means of random genetic mutations and natural selection? Behe is apparently going to tackle those questions in the videos still to come, but for now this video serves as beautifully filmed prelude:
