Page 744 - Atlas of Creation Volume 2

The inner walls
of the cochlea in
the inner ear are lined
with tiny hairs. These
move in line with the
wave motion set up in the
liquid in the inner ear by
vibrations coming from out-
side. In this way, the electrical
balance of the cells to which the
hairs are attached changes, and forms
the signals we perceive as "sound."

tion of the hairs causes constant changes in the chemical balance within the underlying cells, which in turn en-
ables them to produce electrical signals. These electrical signals are forwarded to the brain by nerves, and the

brain then processes them, turning them into sound.
Science has not been able to explain all the technical details of this system. While producing these electrical
signals, the cells in the inner ear also manage to transmit the frequencies, strengths, and rhythms coming from
the outside. This is such a complicated process that science has so far been unable to determine whether the fre-

quency-distinguishing system takes place in the inner ear or in the brain.
At this point, there is an interesting fact we have to consider concerning the motion of the tiny hairs on the
cells of the inner ear. Earlier, we said that the hairs waved back and forth, pushing each other like dominos. But
usually the motion of these tiny hairs is very small. Research has shown that a hair motion of just by the width
of an atom can be enough to set off the reaction in the cell. Experts who have studied the matter give a very in-
teresting example to describe this sensitivity of these hairs: If we imagine a hair as being as tall as the Eiffel

Tower, the effect on the cell attached to it begins with a motion equivalent to just 3 centimeters of the top of the
tower. 322
Just as interesting is the question of how often these tiny hairs can move in a second. This changes accord-
ing to the frequency of the sound. As the frequency gets higher, the number of times these tiny hairs can move
reaches unbelievable levels: for instance, a sound of a frequency of 20,000 causes these tiny hairs to move 20,000

times a second.
Everything we have examined so far has shown us that the ear possesses an extraordinary structure. On
closer examination, it becomes evident that this structure is irreducibly complex, since, in order for hearing
to happen, it is necessary for all the component parts of the auditory system to be present and in complete
working order. Take away any one of these—for instance, the hammer bone in the middle ear—or damage its
structure, and you will no longer be able to hear anything. In order for you to hear, such different elements as

the ear drum, the hammer, anvil and stirrup bones, the inner ear membrane, the cochlea, the liquid inside the
cochlea, the tiny hairs that transmit the vibrations from the liquid to the underlying sensory cells, the latter cells
themselves, the nerve network running from them to the brain, and the hearing center in the brain must all
exist in complete working order. The system cannot develop "by stages," because the intermediate stages
would serve no purpose.

742 Atlas of Creation Vol. 2