Page 174 - The Miracle of Protein

172 THE MIRACLE OF PROTEIN

ness, it is able to distinguish between iron, magnesium, calcium
and other elements, detain it and escort it to its destination.
Needless to say, inanimate and unconscious molecules can car-
ry out such complex procedures only because God designed it
to do so.
The iron elements captured by siderophores are taken in-
side the cell after a series of security and control processes. The

molecules that formed a compound with iron, began a new
journey from this point on. This substance, which is dangerous
for the cell, must be safely taken inside and successfully escort-
ed to where it is needed. But how are the agent molecules that
are outside the cell, taken inside the cell?

Special security gates at the cell

membrane
God created a very complicated system in the bacteria so
that siderophores which form a compound with iron, can be

taken inside the cell.
In order for the cell to carry out its vital functions, it is im-
portant that not everything is admitted into the cell. Many sub-
stances that can damage the cell, cannot pass through the gates
due to their size. Siderophores attached to iron are also rather
big molecules. Then how do they enter into the cell? It is be-
cause the cell membrane is equipped with very special recogni-
tion, transportation and security systems.

Special systems at the security gates

Bacteria have many different units designed to ensure that
iron can pass through cell membrane. Receptors, doors, trans-
portation proteins, proteins in charge of transferring energy,
power and many other units act in concert for this purpose.