Page 31 - The Microworld Miracle

Complex processes during cell divi-
Young cell sion—such as DNA copying, copy
production, transformation, cell divi-
sion and chromosome division—are
all flawlessly coordinated.
DNA replication
protein known as CtrA
Copies are attached tot he membrane
As the mem- coordinates DNA replica-
brane wides,
the copies tion within the cell of the
separate from bacterium C. crescentus. .
each other
CtrA, controls and alters
Membrane devel-
DNA replication opment region a great many biological
structures while carrying
New walls out cell division.
form be-
tween rep- Interestingly, CtrA is it-
lication.
self controlled by two el-
ements known as phos-
phorylation and proteol-
ysis. In other words, sys-

tems that appear to act
Newly formed cells
independently in this
system actually work together in a coordinated manner for the task
to be performed. Complex processes such as replication of DNA
and chromosome division must all be fully coordinated during cell
division. The failure of any one system will lead to a halt in the cell-
division process and the death of both new-formed cells. The pres- HARUN YAHYA

ence of factors like CtrA to ensure coordination inside the cell is an
important proof of the irreducible complexity of bacterial cell divi-
sion.
We encounter a similarly complex structure in the bacterium E.
coli. Its cell division system depends on a structure known as FtsZ— (ADNAN OKTAR)

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