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The constituent parts of our bodies vary greatly in size, from atom to organ. It is hard to imagine the relative sizes between our bodies, a cell and an atom, yet the human body is made up of around 100,000 cells. The size of a cell can range from that of a bacterium, the smallest existing cell, to the yolk of an ostrich egg, 50,000 times bigger.

What is the role of genes in the whole series of processes that lead from egg to child? During development and differentiation, how does genetic information work and in what way is it expressed? We will follow the different phases of gestation from the moment the fertilised egg divides in two and the embryo, which at this point is still close to those of vertebrates, attaches itself to the uterus. Little by little, the organism takes shape, the foetus begins to move, the child reacts to sound and the brain continues to develop until birth and much later.

What is the role of genes in the whole series of processes that lead from egg to child? During development and differentiation, how does genetic information work and in what way is it expressed? We will follow the different phases of gestation from the moment the fertilised egg divides in two and the embryo, which at this point is still close to those of vertebrates, attaches itself to the uterus. Little by little, the organism takes shape, the foetus begins to move, the child reacts to sound and the brain continues to develop until birth and much later.

Growing thousands of peas, observing their color and appearance, crossing green peas with yellow, smooth peas with wrinkled, and noting what trait appears in the next generation.

In their genome, genetically-modified organisms contain one or more genes from another organism carrying a useful trait. These new genes (known as transgenes) provide the organism with characteristics that it does not naturally possess. To make a GM plant, a useful gene belonging to another organism must first be isolated by inserting it into bacteria. Next, it must be extracted and introduced into the cell of the plant to be modified. It is then necessary to select the cells that have assimilated the gene. Once this has been done, the cells are grown in vitro to form plantlets

Genetically-modified organisms are appearing in ever-increasing numbers: rape-seed oil, production tage, while others are still laboratory curiosities. These genetic modifications are not always visible to the naked eye. So how can you tell GM corn with a gene that makes it last longer from one without the gene? While some differences are flagrant, most are imperceptible to the unassisted observer.

Biotechnologies comprise all of the methods and techniques whose tools include living organisms (cells, bacteria, yeast, etc.) or parts thereof (genes, enzymes, etc.). Biotechnology researchers work with tiny quantities of substances. The volumes used are on the order of a few microlitres and precision instruments are needed to collect them. Micropipettes for taking samples, stirring rods to homogenise solutions, small plastic tubes for preparing and manipulating the DNA, an electrophoresis to separate molecules, miscellaneous glassware, etc.

A travel into the history of plants.

Genetic diversity is synonymous with genetic variability. It explains why we find distinct individuals and populations within the human species. Each individual has a vast number of genes (around 100,000) that produce their individual traits. Genetic diversity, a tremendous asset for our human heritage, also manifests itself in population distinctions. Populations from different parts of the world have specific characteristics such as skin color, height and the presence or absence of certain enzymes.

Ten genetic traits involved in our physical appearance are tested by visitors: hair type, the position of crossed thumbs, skin color, ear lobe shape, eye color, sex, nose type, fingerprints, being right-handed or left-handed and the ability to curl your tongue in the shape of a U. Each identity test is accompanied by an onscreen explanatory text, along with statistics on the number of previous visitors with the same genetic traits.

The chromosome map of every organism is called a karyotype. The karyotype gives information about genetic diseases or genetic traits that are associated with each chromosome. Look carefully at a karyotype. Touch one of the 23 pairs of human chromosomes (22 autosomal and one sex chromosome) presented in this interactive application and listen to their story.

Life can be observed on different scales. Insofar as living organisms are concerned, even the smallest can be seen by the naked eye, but some details, even the smallest can be seen by the naked eye, are difficult if not impossible to see. An optical laboratory instrument with a magnifying power of 10 times provides us with a picture of a whole new world.

What is the heredity mechanism of genetic diseases? The genealogical tree is a visual illustration of the members of a family over several generations. By studying them, we can determine the way a trait (or disease) is inherited. With the help of an innovative interactive genealogical tree, learn the routes of transfer for heredity in an enjoyable way. What do you observe?

The biochip is an analysis and diagnosis tool a centimetre or less in size. It takes the form of a glass or silicon surface holding thousands of fragments of DNA. A biochip enables a large number of genes to be identified rapidly. In the medical field, biochips are used in the diagnosis of infectious and genetic diseases, testing for antibiotic resistance among different microbe strains, the analysis of genetic mutations and the identification of new therapeutic microbe strains, the analysis of genetic mutations targets.