“Every once in a while, we all experience something so powerful and meaningful that it has the potential to change our lives. ‘Body Worlds’ is. But what you truly discover that it is your own,” says Dr. Angelina Whalley, President & CEO of the Institute for Plastination.

Educated as a surgeon, Whalley found her calling with the “Body Worlds” exhibitions, including that at the Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion Allentown.

“Body Worlds 101: A Journey Under the Skin,” through May 25, takes your on a fascinating tour of human anatomy.

During the exhibit’s Feb. 13 opening press event, Whalley provided history and insight as she walked through the exhibit and explained how soft tissue, like nerves, the vascular system and organs from cadavers are preserved through a process of plastination.

Developed by her husband, Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977, the technique of tissue preservation involves forced impregnation of biological specimens with plastic resins.

In addition to being anatomically precise, the clean, dry and odorless specimens produced by plastination are durable and easier to handle than biological specimens preserved in formaldehyde, alcohol and glycerin.

Formaldehyde or other preservation solutions are pumped through the arteries to kill bacteria and prevent decomposition. Dissection follows with skin, fatty and connective tissues removed while preparing the individual anatomical structures and elements for preservation.

The plastination then begins with dissolving water and soluble fats from the body in a bath of acetone.

The specimen is placed in a bath of liquid polymer, such as silicone rubber, polyester or epoxy resin during a vacuum process. After positioning, the specimen is cured with gas, light or heat to harden the polymer.

From start to finish, the process to preserve a body requires about 1,500 working hours and around one year to complete.

The Da Vinci Center exhibition begins with the skeleton’s supporting framework, followed by preserved organs, pulmonary, circulatory, nervous and digestive systems. The bodies are displayed in activities that demonstrate muscle use, such as “Guitar Player,” “Figure Skating Pair with Woman Lifted” and “Skateboarder.”

The “Slices of Life” display reveals the internal organs and structures in their exact positions with 0.01- to 0.3-inch-thick slices taken from a deep-frozen body preserved through plastination.

The effects of smoking, obesity, cancer, diabetes, dementia and Parkinson’s on one’s body are explored along with other aspects of the human condition, healthy and unhealthy, in the exhibition.

Not only has the exhibits traveled the world, some, such as the “Figure Skating Pair with Woman Lifted” were “extras” to Daniel Craig’s James Bond character in the 2006 film, “Casino Royale” alongside a more recognized “Poker Playing Trio.”

The Institute for Plastination (IfP) was founded in 1993 by Dr. von Hagens. The preserved specimens are utilized for educational purposes.

Those who wish to donate their bodies register with IfP and must meet several criteria. The donor’s death must be by “natural causes.” Information: https://bodyworlds.com

“Body Worlds 101: A Journey Under the Skin,” through May 25; “Lehigh Valley Health Network My Body,” “Lehigh River Watershed,” “Science in the Making,” “Curiosity Hall,” ongoing, Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion, 815 W. Hamilton St., Allentown. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday. Closed Monday. 484-664-1002, www.davincisciencecenter.org

“Gallery View” is a column about artists, exhibitions and galleries. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com