Kai Jensen has a fascination with viruses and bacteria. Rotavirus, his favorite, causes severe diarrhea.

The 5-year-old's love of everything abhorrent came to life Saturday at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry's featured Grossology exhibit.

Jensen, of Portland, climbed a zit-filled human skin wall, created fart noises, walked through a giant nose and slid his way through a 3-D model of the digestive system as he discovered the foul yet scientific happenings inside the human body.

Based on the children's book "Grossology" by Sylvia Branzei, the exhibit uses animatronics -- animated robots -- to explain runny noses, poop, body odor and other functions.

Museum senior educator Kristi Falkowski said the exhibit, being visited by several thousand visitors through Thanksgiving weekend, appeals most to children, especially because of its interactive features.

"It is using the gross things that our bodies do to teach more about general human biology; how our bodies work and why," she said. "It allows parents to talk to kids about uncomfortable subject matter."

But Jensen's dad Brett, a physician, said he enjoyed the educational adventure just as much as his son.

"You can totally see how an adult would gain as much from this experience as a kid," he said.

Heather Young, 42, is one such adult. Young, who came with five of her children and their friends, said the exhibit was hilarious and informative.

"The thing that made us laugh the most was the machine that makes vomit," she said. "Watching the kids smelling the different smells was hilarious, too."

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Lessons in human biology featured in Grossology exhibit at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry