Page 806 - Atlas of Creation Volume 1

come up with a probability of 1 in 2 400 , or 10 120 . Just for a comparison, let us remember that the number of elec-
trons in the universe is estimated at 10 , which although vast, is a much smaller number. The probability of
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these amino acids forming the required sequence and functional form would generate much larger numbers. If
we add these probabilities to each other, and if we go on to work out the probabilities of even higher numbers
and types of proteins, the calculations become inconceivable.
Correct Bond is Vital
The difficulties the theory of evolution is unable to overcome with regard to the development of a single
peptide bond
The amino acid molecules that make up proteins must be linked to each
other in a so-called "peptide bond", which is only one of the many possi-
ble types of bonds found in nature. Otherwise, the resulting amino acid
chains would be useless, and no proteins would be formed.
804 Atlas of Creation
protein are not limited to those we have re-
counted so far. It is not enough for amino acids
to be arranged in the correct numbers, se-
quences, and required three-dimensional struc-
tures. The formation of a protein also requires
that amino acid molecules with more than one
arm be linked to each other only in certain
ways. Such a bond is called a "peptide bond".
Amino acids can make different bonds with
each other; but proteins are made up of those-
and only those-amino acids which are joined by
"peptide" bonds.
A comparison will clarify this point.
Suppose that all the parts of a car were complete
and correctly assembled, with the sole excep-
tion that one of the wheels was fastened in place
not with the usual nuts and bolts, but with a
piece of wire, in such a way that its hub faced
the ground. It would be impossible for such a
car to move even the shortest distance, no mat-
ter how complex its technology or how power-
ful its engine. At first glance, everything would
seem to be in the right place, but the faulty at-
tachment of even one wheel would make the
entire car useless. In the same way, in a protein
molecule the joining of even one amino acid to
another with a bond other than a peptide bond
would make the entire molecule useless.
Research has shown that amino acids com-
bining at random combine with a peptide bond
only 50% of the time, and that the rest of the
time different bonds that are not present in pro-
teins emerge. To function properly, each amino
acid making up a protein must be joined to oth-
ers only with a peptide bond, in the same way
that it likewise must be chosen only from
among left-handed forms.
This probability of this happening is the
same as the probability of each protein's being
left-handed. That is, when we consider a pro-
tein made up of 400 amino acids, the probability