Page 60 - The Miracle in the Immune System

58 THE MIRACLE OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

No. At this stage, the spleen comes into play and
takes control. Sensing that the body needs red blood
cells, thrombocytes, and granulocytes, the spleen starts
to produce these cells in addition to lymphocytes,
which is its main duty.
The spleen, however, is an unconscious lump of
meat. It is not capable of assuming such a responsibility.
Besides, even if it did, how would it be equipped with
the required information and components to produce
the extremely complex cells and proteins? Allah, Who
created the human body, created the spleen in such a
way as to enable it to take on other responsibilities in
addition its own task when necessary, and equipped it
with the necessary stimulus and production systems.

Phagocytosis
The spleen contains a large number of macrophages
(cleaner cells). These engulf and digest old and damaged
red blood cells, some damaged blood cells and some
substances that are carried to the spleen through the
blood.
There is a very important chemical recycling system
at work here.
The macrophage cells in the spleen convert the hae-
moglobin protein, which is found in the composition of
the red blood cells they have engulfed, to bilirubin, a
bile pigment. Then, the bilirubin is released to the ve-
nous circulation and sent to the liver. In this form, it can
be discharged out of the body along with the bile.
However, the iron molecule found in the bilirubin
which is about to be discharged out of the intestines