Page 98 - The Miracle of the Blood and Heart

THE MIRACLE OF THE
BLOOD AND HEART

not broken down during the process of phagocytosis. Tissue
macrophages represent a flawless system that constantly pro-
tects against infection in the tissues. Their phagocytosis meth-
ods are different from those of the neutrophils. In general,
they possess the ability to phagocytose 100 bacteria.
Neutrophils are unable to phagocytose cells larger than bacte-
ria, while macrophages have the ability to eliminate much
larger structures.
Neutrophils generally digest the cells they phagocytose
inside themselves. As a result of this digestion, the bacterium
gives off toxic substances, and after phagocytosing 25 bacteria
at most, these toxins increase to such a level as to lead to the
neutrophils' own deaths. In one sense, the neutrophil sacri-
fices itself that the body as a whole might live. Subsequently,
the dead neutrophil is itself phagocytosed and digested by the
macrophages.
Macrophages, on the other hand, possess the ability to
expel waste products after digesting their enemies and there-
fore, face no danger of being poisoned. As a result, they are
still able to perform their functions for months, even for
years. 46
This whole account is a proof of God's omniscience, which
we watch with amazement in every system we encounter. It's
astonishing how minute living cells are able to identify an
enemy and take the relevant precautions. Moreover, these tiny
living entities also take measures to be ready in the event that
these same enemies enter the body again at some later date.
For that purpose, in ingesting the enemy cell, the
macrophage separates off a part of it known as the
antigen, which contains the enemy's identifying
Harun
Yahya

96