Page 122 - Magnificence Everywhere

A WARY INSPECTOR: THE CELL MEMBRANE
Think of a building where very strict security measures are enforced; nothing
harmful is allowed to enter, extraordinary controls are exercised and only then may
newcomers be admitted. Yet, suppose that this building performs these functions
all by itself. Suppose it acts like a living organism without any interference or assis-
tance. With today's technology, it might be possible for a building to act like a con-
scious entity, in other words, to execute security controls using the aid of computers
and do identity checks. What, then, would you think if we tell you that such a sys-
tem actually already exists in a place which measures only one-hundred-thou-
sandth of a millimeter? Even with today's technology, such an achievement is
clearly beyond us. Yet, this does not mean that such a system does not exist any-
where on Earth.
This extraordinary system, which you might imagine impossible when you hear
of it for the first time, has existed since it first came into being. Such a system al-
ready exists in the membrane of every one of the approximately 100 trillion cells
which make up the human body.
The cell membrane demonstrates characteristics such as making decisions, re-
membering, and evaluating, which are some of the basic features of human beings.
It maintains connections with adjacent cells and also controls incoming and outgo-
ing cell traffic in a very sensitive way.
Because of its great decision-making skills, its memory and the wisdom it shows,
the cell membrane is considered to be the brain of a cell. Yet, the cell membrane is so
thin that it can be detected only by using an electron microscope. The membrane
looks like a two-sided wall. This wall is equipped with gates that enable getting in
and out and with receptors that enable the membrane to identify the outside envi-
ronment. They are located on the cell wall and cautiously control all traffic.
The first job of the cell membrane is to keep the cell organelles together by wrap-
ping around them. In addition, it provides necessary substances from outside in
order to enable these organelles to function properly. While doing this, the cell
membrane behaves very economically; it does not let in a greater amount than it
needs. It determines harmful waste material without losing time and expels it right
Magnificence Everywhere brane, a layer composed of lipids and protein molecules, are not generated by itself
away. The role of the cell membrane is very crucial; it does not accept the slightest
error, as any error or defect means the death of the cell.
It is obvious that such intelligent acts and conscious decisions of the cell mem-

alone. Anyone who possesses wisdom and consciousness can easily see that that
such a system cannot originate by chance. Both the cell and the membrane that cov-
ers the cell have been created by Allah, the possessor of ultimate knowledge. And
they serve the purposes that Allah, Who has created them perfectly, has determined
for them.
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