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Traits of Life
Opens October 5, 2002
Exhibition Overview

The riotous diversity of life masks an underlying unity. Deep down, we’re all alike. We all reproduce, use energy, and change over time. And we’re all made of cells, genes and DNA. The over 30 exhibits and demonstrations in Traits of Life bring these themes to life. Highlights follow:

LIFE SHARES COMMON MATERIALS
The directions to create life’s diverse forms are stored in an organism's genes, deep inside its cells, written in the language of DNA.

Cell Demo: Some living things are composed of only one cell. A demonstration using a high-quality microscope and single-celled organisms show the components of single cells.

Glowing Worms: A jellyfish gene makes these worms light up. The worms produce the glow protein — green fluorescent protein, or GFP — taken from jellyfish genes, and made visible here under an ultraviolet light that illuminates their nerve cells.

DNA Extraction Demo: All living things contain DNA in their cells. The extraction of DNA from visitors’ cheek cells can be examined.

Embryo Station: All multicellular organisms develop from a single cell in similar ways. A presentation of various living embryos in the early stages of differentiation and development.

Research Zoo: Living things share many fundamental parts — including genes, proteins, and cells — that work in similar ways. Scientists study a particular "model organism" to understand how other organisms, including humans work. Those on display include brewer’s yeast, roundworm, fruit fly, zebrafish, common wall cress, and mouse.

LIFE CREATES MORE LIFE
From the division of a single cell to the union of two organisms, life creates more life with—and without— sex.

Sea Urchin Fertilization Demo: Most living things reproduce sexually to create genetically different offspring. In this demo, a visitor witnesses the breathtaking moment of fertilization, when sperm meets egg.

C-Fern Demo: Plants have developed many different strategies to reproduce. These ferns can reproduce sexually. Visitors will witness swimming C-fern sperm — as they move towards eggs before one’s eyes — a plant’s strategy for reproduction that some associate more with animals. A demonstration using Ceratoperis fern and the release of motile sperm illustrates one strategy for plant reproduction.

Self-Propelled DNA/Live Sperm and Eggs: A live microscopic presentation of sea urchin sperm via an interactive microscope illustrates how different species use sperm to fertilize an egg. Note how sperm and eggs from a sea urchin bear a striking resemblance to sperm and eggs from a human being.

Pollination: We can’t see the ultraviolet patterns on these flowers, but bees can. This exhibit uses UV filters to reveal the flower patterns that attract insects so that the flower gets its pollen — male sex cells — to reproduce.

Flower Dissection Demo: Flowers are the reproductive structures of plants. A simple flower dissection.

LIFE CHANGES OVER TIME
The great variety of forms life has taken as it has evolved is largely the result of changes in DNA.

Mutant Flies
A single change in a gene can create drastic changes in an organism. Whether a fly turns out "normal," or has white eyes, no wings, or a black body, depends on the information carried on its genes.

Goldfish
Selective breeding by humans has generated variety among a species. A large tank of goldfish displaying variants created by humans. The first "mutant" goldfish was noticed some 2,000 years ago and started in Japan and China. The Chinese created many fancy varieties.

Genes Connect Us All
Organisms from different species share a surprising number of genes with similar functions. This exhibit helps you think of your genes as fossils, holding clues to our ancient origins.

LIFE USES ENERGY
All living things need energy to survive.

Respirational Interdependence: One organism’s waste is another’s sustenance. A small scale, interactive community of living organisms (grass and termites) allows visitors to explore the relationship between photosynthesis, aerobic respiration, carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Bacteriapolis: These photosynthetic bacterial communities are striking for their colorful bacteria that use pigments to capture energy from sunlight.

Termitarium: A fascinating colony of termites, which includes three "castes," or roles: workers, soldiers, or reproductives. Wood has energy; the termites use the sun’s energy trapped in wood.

Energy from Death/Rotting Carcass: The insects, bacteria, and other organisms in this tank are playing a critical role in the energy cycle.

Microscope Imaging Station (a work in progress)
Even more spectacular is the Imaging Station, the place to witness the amazing development of live embryos — including fish, worms, and fruit flies—in real time, and watch time-lapse movies. The station will be fully operational in the fall of 2003. At that time, visitors can also control the microscope via interactive controls. The completed Microscope Imaging Station will have four visitor-accessible microscopes, and be used for scientific research. Major support for this project comes from the National Institutes of Health and The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, with additional support from Carl Zeiss Microscopes, Technical Manufacturing Corporation, Technical Instruments, and Universal Imaging.

The Exploratorium is located inside the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco's Marina District. Museum admission is as follows: Members FREE; Adults (18-64) $10.00; University Students (with ID) $7.50; Senior citizens (65+) $7.50; People with disabilities $6.00; Youth (5-17) $6.00; Children Under 4 FREE. First Wednesdays of the month FREE. The Exploratorium's winter hours, from Labor Day through Memorial Day, are TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY 10amÐ5pm (WEDNESDAYS UNTIL 9:00pm), CLOSED MONDAYS, except for most holidays. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Exploratorium is open SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, from 10amÐ6pm (Wednesdays until 9pm). The Exploratorium is wheelchair accessible. For information, call(415) EXP-LORE.

CONTACT: LINDA DACKMAN (415) 561-0363 / Leslie Patterson (415) 561-0377