Page 80 - Consciousness in the Cell

CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE CELL

SKILLFUL PLANNING AND PRODUCTION

CARRIED OUT BY BONE CELLS

When bones first start to develop, they start out as cartilage tis-
sue. With time, the inner part of this cartilage begins to calsify and
later, becomes enveloped in blood vessels by special bone cells
called osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The osteoclast cells' function is
to break down and resorb bone. This they do by secreting special
enzymes. Not remaining idle while the osteoclasts are doing their
job, the osteoblast cells form the bone.
As a result of cooperation between these two groups of cells,
the bones develop and eventually form the entire skeleton.
During childhood, when growth is very rapid, the duty of the
osteoblasts is much more intense. Bone formation needs to be
greater than bone resorption by osteoclasts. Once the skeleton has
reached a certain degree of maturity, however, the formation and
resorption processes begin to balance out.
Cells to be found in the bones of every human being carry out
the same duty. They all know how to build the bone. Aware of the
differences, they know how to shape the bones of the skull and of
the thigh, the degree of thickness each bone should have, and
when to stop growing. Also, they act in awareness that they have
more work to do during childhood.
In the order of any of these processes, there is no confusion.
Each group of cells goes into action at exactly the required time.
As a result of this planned formation, every bone attains the struc-
ture and shape it needs to perform its functions most efficiently.
How did bone cells gain this ability of planning and produc-
tion? A cell formed from unconscious atoms cannot look ahead or
make decisions. It can't be aware of the stress or balance in the
body, sense its needs and take measures accordingly. But all of the

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