Page 167 - The Miracle in the Cell Membrane
P. 167
Axon
Synapses work like biological
The direc-
tion of the keys to transmit electro-chemical
nerve
Synaptic Tip of the signals. Every synapse consists of
sacs synapse two parts: the rounded part at the
end of the transmitter neuron, and
the receiving region in the target
cell membrane. The synaptic gap
Synaptic is as tiny as 1 billionth of an inch
cavity
(2.54 centimeters) long and sepa-
rates the two cell membranes.
Target
The magnified At the bulb-shaped end of the
region left Receptors cells
synapse are very small spheres
called synaptic sacs. Each one
contains thousands of molecules
that transmit stimuli.
When the nerve signal reaches
the tip, the sacs attach to the mem-
brane and release their contents
into the synaptic cavity. This
enables specific receptor channels
to open and sodium ions to move
rapidly towards the target cell. This
Open channel
ion flow sets one region of the tar-
get cell membrane into operation,
Sodium ions and an electrical impulse is formed
within the target cell.
This molecular traffic among
our nerve cells, here described in
very superficial terms, continues
constantly at very high levels. Ions
and some proteins determine
Receptor
when this traffic should stop or
start. It is of course impossible for
molecules to construct a nervous
system of their own accord and
subsequently to organize it in a
most impeccable manner. These
molecules have come together
within a specific Creation, to serve
a particular purpose. This system
is one of the examples exhibiting
Allah's infinite dominion.
165