Page 119 - The Miracle in the Cell

HARUN YAHYA
gate, sometimes like a pump (see Figures 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, and 6.7).
These recognize substances that the cell needs, select them, and then
bring them inside the cell, after expending a great deal of energy. This
is not an event to be glossed over, because many miracles occur dur-
ing this transfer process, many of whose mysteries have not yet been
brought to light. In order for the cell to continue its existence, sub-
stances that need to get past the membrane include electrons, even
photons, small molecules such as monatomic protons, ions, water,
average-sized molecules like amino acids and sugars, and macro mol-
ecules such as proteins and DNA. Sometimes, with the help of many
enzymes and with a huge amount of energy expended, a molecule
much larger than the gate itself is taken into the cell. Sometimes the
molecule to pass through the gate is so comparatively huge that the
process can be compared to threading a rope through the eye of a nee-
dle. To facilitate the passing, the gap first widens, then returns to its
original state. During this process, no harm comes to either the gate,
the substance passing through, or to the cell.

The Cell's Engulfing of Substances

The cell forms small vesicles that bud off from its own membrane
and which carry out storage and transport processes. During the
process of pinocytosis, a small portion of the cell membrane curls
around towards the inside of the cell, taking in any nearby molecules
from outside the cell. This portion of the membrane then pinches off,
forming a vesicle that then enters the cell. In effect, the cell swallows
the substances it needs (see Figures 6.8 and 6.9b).
In the process of exopinocytosis, the cell forms a vesicle within
itself, around collected waste products. It then ejects this vesicle
through the cell membrane, leaving substances carried by the vesicle
outside the cell (see Figure 6.9a).

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