Page 90 - Consciousness in the Cell

CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE CELL

LYSOSOME ENZYMES AT THE SERVICE

OF THE BODY

Many processes we are unaware of take place within our bod-
ies. These processes are carried out by some 100 trillion cells, all
performing their duties without fault, and without fail.
The many structures inside these cells know their duties very
well. Some of them produce energy, others produce protein, some
act as transporters, and others are used as storage depots.
One of the apparently conscious structures found in cells is the
lysosome, which may be considered as the cell's digester. Many
degradative processes can be carried out as a result of the enzymes
these organelles contain. Aside from breaking down and destroy-
ing cells that are dead, diseased, or no longer useful, and punctur-
ing and digesting the membrane that surrounds a structure,
lysosome enzymes also destroy certain cells that are continuing to
grow in the body. These breakdown processes carried out by the
lysosome enzymes are of the utmost importance for health and
ultimately, for survival.
For example, the womb of a pregnant woman develops at a
much greater rate than normal to accommodate the development
of her fetus—a necessary step for the birth of a healthy baby. Once
the baby is born, however, no longer is there any need for such a
spacious womb. Now this organ, which has increased so much,
must return to its original size. The lysosome enzymes carry out
this process. When labor is over, certain cells send this news to the
lysosomes, which already know very well what they have to do
and begin secreting the necessary enzymes. In ten days and at a
very fast rate, these enzymes decrease the size of the womb by a fac-
tor of forty, returning it to its original size, for the health of the body.
Lysosomes are also found in the heads of sperm. A spermatozoal

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