The World of Life looks at systems all living organisms have in common, from respiration to reproduction, and more. To learn about circulation, you can ride a red blood cell through a human body, look at the vascular system of a cockroach, or try pumping blood to a giraffe’s brain.

The dramatic centerpiece of the gallery is The BodyWorks Theater. Through a mixture of animatronics and projected animation, a 55-foot character, named Tess, introduces visitors to the concept of homeostasis. Her heart beats, lungs breathe, blood flows and nerves respond to demonstrate how our bodies stay in balance.