INTRODUCTION

The theory of evolution was put forward by the naturalist Charles Darwin in the middle of the 19th century, when the level of science and technology was rather primitive,  compared with today's. Nineteenth-century scientists worked in relatively simple laboratories. With the very unsophisticated equipment available to them, scientists couldn't even see bacteria. Moreover, they were still under the influence of many false beliefs left over from the Middle Ages.

One of these misconceptions was that living organisms had a fundamentally simple structure—a belief that can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who wrote that life could come about spontaneously and coincidentally, as a result of inorganic matter assembling itself in a moist environment.

In developing his theory, Darwin drew on the assumption that living things had only a simple structure. Other biologists who later adopted and defended Darwin's theory shared this same belief. For example, from the view of cells that 19th century microscopes provided, Ernst Haeckel, Darwin's greatest supporter in Germany, believed that a cell was a "simple little lump of albuminous combination of carbon," not much different from a piece of microscopic jello. (John Farley, The Spontaneous Generation Controversy from Descartes to Oparin, 2nd ed., Baltimore:The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1979, p. 73)

The theory of evolution was based upon this and other similar presumptions. Authors of the theory like Haeckel, Darwin, and Huxley believed that because life was made up of very simple structures, it could come about by itself, randomly. But they were wrong, of course.

During the past 150 years, from Victorian times until now, both science and technology have made enormous strides. Scientists have discovered the real structure of what Haeckel described as being a "simple little lump." They have been amazed to see that the cell is not remotely as simple as was once believed, but contains a number of  unimaginably complex systems that could never have been conceived of, much less understood, in Darwin's day.

In explaining the structure of the cell, Professor Michael Denton, the famous molecular biologist, makes this analogy:

To grasp the reality of life as it has been revealed by molecular biology, we must magnify a cell a thousand million times until it is twenty kilometers in diameter and resembles a giant airship large enough to cover a great city like London or New York. What we would then see would be an object of unparalleled complexity and adaptive design. On the surface of the cell we would see millions of openings, like the port holes of a vast space ship, opening and closing to allow a continual stream of materials to flow in and out. If we were to enter one of these openings we would find ourselves in a world of supreme technology and bewildering complexity... (Michael Denton, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, London: Burnett Books, 1985, p. 328)

This book will introduce the miracles of creation in the living cell, a miniature masterpiece that possesses a much more complicated and wondrous system than a giant spaceship's. We will show how the organelles inside the cell, together with the enzymes, proteins and other substances that it produces, perform purposeful functions that could never be expected of them. We'll give examples of the literally trillions of cells to be found in the human body, each of which displays superhuman intelligence and wisdom. Once again, we remind ourselves how all of this cannot be merely an unconscious coincidence, but is a product of God.

Proofs of God's creation, and manifestations of His superior power, wisdom and artistry are everywhere. Wherever we turn, we come face to face with God's creations that move us to exalt Him with glorification.

One reason why this book concentrates on the cell in particular is once again to present the truth to those who deny God by claiming that life is only a result of coincidence. Living things are too complex, too infinitely detailed to have come about as the result of happenstance. It's clear that they were created by a superior Mind and Power. Also, this book aims to explain the superiority manifest in God's creation and to glorify Him thereby.

INTELLIGENT DESIGN, IN OTHER WORDS CREATION

In order to create, God has no need to design

It's important that the word "design" be properly understood. That God has created a flawless design does not mean that He first made a plan and then followed it. God, the Lord of the Earth and the heavens, needs no "designs" in order to create. God is exalted above all such deficiencies. His planning and creation take place at the same instant.

Whenever God wills a thing to come about, it is enough for Him just to say, "Be!" As verses of the Qur'an tell us: His command when He desires a thing is just to say to it, "Be!" and it is. (Qur'an, 36: 82)

[God is] the Originator of the heavens and Earth. When He decides on something, He just says to it, "Be!" and it is. (Qur'an, 2: 117)

BELIEF IN DARWINISM REQUIRES ABANDONING LOGIC AND WISDOM

All of the cells in your body multiply by division. During this process, the DNA in the cell's nucleus needs to be copied too. The process of DNA replication takes place without fault, in a regular, most organized and disciplined way that strikes awe in attentive observers.

The DNA molecule, containing a miniaturized data bank of three billion letters, is like a ladder that has twisted around itself to form a helix. At the beginning of replication, the enzyme DNA helicase first approaches the DNA molecule and starts to unwind the helix, just as in the opening of a zipper. The twin strands of DNA in the helix, formerly wound around each other, separate as a result.  DNA helicase is always ready to perform its duty on time, without any fault, without becoming confused or making the slightest mistake, and without damaging the DNA in any way.

Then it's the turn of another enzyme, DNA polymerase. Its duty is to complete each unwound strand of the DNA with a second one. In order to do so, it must locate and bring the organizing information appropriate for each strand. But wait! An enzyme, made up only of atoms and molecules, cannot be expected to have any knowledge, consciousness, or mind of its own. Yet it can identify the type of information needed to complete the half-strand of DNA and then, locate the necessary components, wherever they may be in the cell, and bring them to where they're needed. During this entire process, it doesn't make the slightest mistake. It identifies, one by one, the three billion letters  in order to  complete the strand of DNA correctly. At the same time, another polymerase enzyme works on the DNA's other strand and completes it in the same way. And while all this is taking place, "helix stabilizing" enzymes hold apart the two strands of DNA to prevent them from winding back around each other. 

During this process of DNA replication, many enzymes work with military discipline to carry out processes that require knowledge and cognition. If you were given a script containing three billion letters and were asked to type it over, you couldn't possibly copy it without making mistakes. You would certainly make at least one mistake somewhere, by skipping a line or at least, a letter or two. Yet these enzymes complete a comparable process repeatedly, without making any such errors.

Darwinists claim that all of these enzymes, the information contained in the DNA's billions of letters, the process of DNA replication, and this entire faultless organization came about as the result of a string of coincidences. Evolutionists' belief in this unbelievable—in fact, impossible—assumption is a significant mistake that needs serious consideration. The sole reason for evolutionists' blind faith in this highly illogical theory is their commitment to materialism, together with their resolve to deny the existence of God.

DNA, the molecule found in the cell's nucleus, is the body's information bank. Therefore, before any one cell divides in order to become two, it must first make a duplicate copy of its DNA. DNA is in the shape of a helix. In order for it to be copied, many enzymes—again produced according to the information in the DNA—carry out processes displaying the utmost intelligence and organization. Before DNA is replicated, enzymes called helicase arrive to unwind the DNA helix, much as one would open a zipper. The orange shapes show this enzyme's actions. In order to prevent the two unwound DNA strands from winding back around each other, helix stabilizing enzymes (shown in green in the diagram) anchor the two strands in place. At this point, enzymes called DNA polymerase start attaching appropriate pieces of information onto each strand, to form two DNA helixes. In these diagrams, the yellow shapes represent the DNA polymerase enzyme, which carries out the replication process. As a result of the faultless cooperation and disciplined, intelligent processes of these unconscious molecules, DNA is copied perfectly, with no errors.

THE DEVICE IN YOUR BODY THAT CAN COPY A MILLION PAGES OF INFORMATION IN TWENTY MINUTES

It's long been known that cells multiply by division. During this process, the DNA found in the nucleus of each cell needs to be copied for each new "daughter" cell. During this process of replication, an amazing event takes place that requires consideration. DNA's data bank, made up of three billion letters, is able to store massive amounts of information concerning the living organism. To write down all the information contained in DNA would require an encyclopaedia of approximately 1,000 volumes, with a total of a million pages. Therefore, the replication of DNA and the copying of a million-page encyclopaedia are comparable. But do you know how long this process of DNA replication takes? Between 20 and 80 minutes! Now, that means that the equivalent of one million pages of writing can be copied, with no mistakes or deficiencies, in a period of less than two hours—and sometimes, under a half hour.  No photocopier or any other technological device available today can complete this copying process faultlessly, in such a short period of time. And consider that no technological machines are carrying out this process, but cells that we cannot even see with the naked eye. Now ask yourself: Who possesses the power and mind, will and knowledge to bring about this amazing organization? What realizes that the DNA must be copied when a cell divides? What brings about this replication in the fastest, most perfect way, and which allows for any mistakes to be fixed immediately? Clearly, it's illogical and senseless to claim that this whole complex, faultless and perfect system came about as a result of coincidence. Bring together all of the atoms in the universe, under the proper conditions, and still you won't be able to create the system that carries out the replication of DNA in every living organism. It is quite obvious that the One Who created this perfect system, Who has continued to create it for millions of years is God, the Possessor of infinite knowledge, consciousness, and power.

THE PERFECTION OF DNA CONTRADICTS THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION

In one molecule of human DNA, there exists enough information to fill a million-page encyclopaedia. But the order in this information is also vitally important. Ask yourself whether hundreds of letters tossed about at random could possibly come together to form a coherent news article.

Could millions of these same letters arrange themselves together perfectly and appropriately as to form an entire newspaper? Can anyone claim this is all a product of blind coincidence? According to Darwinist understanding, it's possible for all these amazing events to come about coincidentally.

Darwinism thinks that it has deceived all the world's populace like little children. This ideology presents coincidence as having divine consciousness, and asserts that it somehow possesses an amazing genius and greater knowledge than all the people in the world.

According to evolutionists, time is the only thing necessary for this "genius" called coincidence to shape the brains of all  those humans  who have lived over thousands of years.

And not their brains only, but their minds, their capacity for thought, their reasoning, memory, and hundreds of other physical and spiritual attributes.

If provided with matter and enough time, coincidence has the power to create people, ants, horses, giraffes, peacocks, butterflies, figs, olives, oranges, peaches, pomegranates, watermelons, tomatos, bananas, tulips, violets, strawberries, orchids, roses and hundreds of thousands of other living things you cannot even think of. Obviously this entire claim is nothing but nonsense. The Creator of all things is God.

They do not measure God with His true measure. God is All-Strong, Almighty.
(Qur'an, 22: 74)

THE SHAPE OF CELLS REFUTES THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION

There are approximately 200 different types of cells in your body, yet they differ from one another in only the slightest of ways. One of the most important differences is shape. Although nerve cells, muscle cells, and blood cells all have the same basic DNA, it is thanks to their perfect individual shapes that they function with the utmost efficiency in the region of the body where they carry out their duties.

Two examples of cells with different shapes are nerve cells and blood cells. Nerve cells have long extensions, called axons, from the spinal cord to the feet that can reach up to one meter in length in humans. This way, when stimuli pass from one cell to another, there is no time lost. The impulses pass directly to where they are going.

Red blood cells, called erythrocytes, however, contrary to nerve cells, are only about 7-8 micrometers in diameter. The very fact of their being so tiny means that they penetrate the smallest of capillaries with ease, and without getting deformed. In addition, their biconcave shape maximizes the surface area across which oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide. If you consider that there are millions of these cells in one cubic millimeter of blood, it won't be hard for you to estimate the massive surface area on which this exchange of gases is carried out.

Cells in the eye and ear are also specialized in regards to shape. The cochlea, inside the inner ear, contains sensory cells which have hairlike projections that produce nerve impulses in response to sound vibrations in the middle ear. Somewhat similarly, light-sensitive cells of the retina in the eye have also been designed to perform their function in the best way possible. The cone cells in the retina contain many light-sensitive pigments, as well as a layer containing nerve connections. This organization gives the cone cells a very high sensitivity to light.

In the small intestine, too, there are nutrient-absorbing cells with the appropriate shape to perform their special functions. The lining of the small intestine is covered by millions of fingerlike projections called villi. On each villus are microvilli which are even tinier. The combination of these projections increases the surface area for digestion and absorption of nutrients. 

Never forget that all of the billions of cells in the human body came about from the division of just one original cell, which originated from the union of sperm and egg. To think that each of these cells chose their individual shapes and then somehow assumed the shape of a body is totally illogical. This all shows clearly that cells are created in the most efficient ways to carry out their functions. That is, they are created by God, the Possessor of infinite wisdom and intelligence.

HOW CAN CELLS RECOGNIZE ONE ANOTHER?

In high school or at college, we've studied how human beings are formed. In its first stages, the embryo is a formless piece of tissue. But as it continues to develop, some cells form the arms, some the inner organs, and a few are set aside for the eyes.

Every cell "knows" where it must go, which organ it will form, to what degree it should multiply, and when to stop dividing. But the following extract provides another amazing fact about the embryo's development:

If we separate the cells of the embryo that belong to different organs—by decreasing the amount of calcium in the environment—and then later on, mix these cells together in a suitable environment, we find that on coming into contact once again, the cells that belong to the same organs recognizeeach other and form distinct groups of cells that belong to the same organs. (Ahmet Noyan, Yasamda ve Hekimlikte Fizyoloji (Physiology in Life and Medicine), 10th ed., Ankara:Meteksan Publications, 1998, p. 40)

That is, if cells are first separated from each other, then brought together again, the cells that make up the same organs recognize each other and reassemble themselves again.

But how can these cells, which have no brain or nervous system, no eyes or no ears, recognize each other?

How do these substances, formed from some molecules with no brain or consciousness, recognize their own type of cell out of a group?

How can they know that they will later unite to form an organ? What is the source of the obvious consciousness displayed by these unconscious molecules?

The source of their consciousness is God, the Lord of the worlds, Who created the whole universe out of nothing.

We will show them Our signs on the horizon and within themselves until it is clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not enough for your Lord that He is a witness of everything?
(Qur'an, 41: 53)

EXPOUNDING EVIDENCE OF GOD'S EXISTENCE CAN FREE PEOPLE FROM IRRELIGIOUS BELIEFS

On some cells are found cilia that resemble eyelashes and facilitate movement. They are composed of highly complex structures. Right: The microtubules making up each cilium. Below: This cross section of a cilium shows the intertwined double ring structure.

According to the Darwinist claims, all living things result from spontaneous coincidences. But the thousands of complex systems in our bodies deny this nonsense of "coincidence." One example is the hairlike structures whose sole duty is to allow the cell to move and which, in turn, consist of thousands of minute details.

Some cells move by the use of short, microscopic structures, called cilia, that resemble eyelashes. For example, each of the stationary cells in the respiratory tract possesses hundreds of cilia. By moving together all at the same time, just like the oars on a racing scull, these structures enable the cell to move forward.

* When a cross section of a cilium is cut, it can be seen to be very organized and made up of a ring of nine doublet microtubules around the periphery and two singlet microtubules in the middle.

* Each of the doublet microtubules has a ring with 13 microfilaments and another one with 11 microfilaments.

* The microtubules are made of a protein called "tubulin."

* The microtubules also have two extensions, an outer arm and an inner arm, both made of a protein called "dynein." This protein's function is to act as a motor for the cilia and provide mechanical strength.

* Molecules making up the tubulin protein virtually line up together like bricks to form cylindrical structures. However, the organization of the tubulin molecules is much more complex than the laying of bricks.

* There are ten short extensions on the top and ten cavities on the bottom of each tubulin. These cavities and extensions have been created to fit snugly inside each other, thus creating a very sound structure. Even the slightest defect in the very special design of these cavities or extensions will result in damage to the cell.

All these components that we've summarized briefly and simply compose just one single cilium; and its sole aim is to move just that one cell, out of the trillions of cells in your body. Such an extensive system exists in every cell of the respiratory system of everyone who has ever lived and of every person alive today. Moreover, this complex system made up of many different parts is the substructure of a cilium on a cell we can't even see with our eyes. You can grasp how small this area is by the following comparison: Fitting all of the details explained above into one of the hairs on your head would be so complex that our brains couldn't comprehend it. But the cilia of the cell we're talking about have just such an incomparably small substructure.

In short, God has placed a most systematic and complex mechanism in a place too small for our eyes to see. It's totally impossible for "coincidence" to think about moving a cell and fitting such a system in so small an area. This is possible only with the superior and infinite mind, knowledge and power of God.

THE OIL REFINERY IN OUR BODIES

The energy you require to arise from where you are and start walking, to breathe, to open and close your eyes—in short, the energy you need to be alive is made in powerhouses inside your cells, called mitochondria. When we examine the processes carried out in the mitochondria, it becomes clear why comparing them to a powerhouse is no exaggeration.

In the production of energy in the cell, oxygen plays the main role. Oxygen has plenty of helpers. At practically all stages of the production of energy, different enzymes play their part. At any particular step of this process, enzymes that have completed their duty "change shifts" with other enzymes coming into action for the next step. This is done in a most conscious manner, and in this way, the energy stored in foods is converted into a form useful to the cell, as the result of endless chemical reactions, many minor processes, and hundreds of different enzymes going into action. In all of this changing of enzymes, there is not the slightest confusion, nor any mixing up of the order. All the "workers" carry out their duty as if they were part of a well-disciplined team.

And so, it can be said that the energy powerhouse located in a cell, only one hundredth of a millimeter in size, is much more complex than any oil refinery or hydroelectric plant.

The mitochondrion, made up of proteins found in the cell, works just like an electrical power station to generate the energy the cell needs.

An oil refinery is built and run by engineers aware of what petroleum is, who have analyzed crude oil in the laboratory, and who act in the light of this technical information. It would be impossible for anyone ignorant of what petroleum is to build a refinery.

In the same way, knowledge is required to produce energy in a cell which is much more complex than an oil refinery. It's obviously ridiculous to suggest that a cell has the ability to learn. But then how do cells bring about this production?

The truth is, no cell has the opportunity to "learn" any biological process, in its literal sense. If the cell couldn't carry out this process when it first appeared, then it would have no chance of acquiring the necessary skills later on—simply because oxygen, which plays such a central role in energy production, has a destructive effect on the cell. The cell had to have appeared together with this defensive property. This is only one of many proofs that cells didn't appear as the result of any coincidence, but were created by God in one instant.

With this artistry, displayed in an area one-hundredth the size of a millimeter, God shows us the limitlessness to His power.

THE ENERGY OF LIFE IN YOUR CELLS: THE ATP MOLECULE

Energy we obtain from food cannot be used directly by our cells in carrying out the processes required for their continued existence. First the energy is packaged into a special molecule called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. Later on, it's used to carry out all the manufacture and transferals taking place in the cell.

The body uses 48 kilograms of ATP a day. But amazingly enough, at any one point during the day, the amount of ATP in the body never exceeds one gram. The reason for this is that ATP is not stored, but rather is prepared in special packets for immediate use. Never forget that the cell's life depends upon this energy. For this reason, the production of ATP must occur very quickly. And so, at every second, each of your approximately 100 trillion cells consumes and regenerates ten million molecules of ATP.

How is this speed maintained?

Whenever a cell needs energy, the end phosphate linkage of the ATP molecule's three phosphate groups is broken; that is, the packet of energy is opened. With the breakage of one phosphate linkage, the subsequent release of energy lets the cell carry out its functions with ease. And this amazing process continues with amazing speed and without fail.

Without doubt, it's impossible for a molecule made up of atoms to determine a cell's energy requirements and then produce the appropriate energy. That this production is carried out in a most efficient way and with the most appropriate packaging system cannot be the product of coincidence. The Creator of the cell and of every action and process of the molecules within the cell is God; it is He Who put the ATP molecule at the service of living things in such a perfect manner.

WHO MANAGES HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE CELL?

The cell's organization is much more complex and successful than any human fabrication. In a protein produced in the cell, steps take place that are involved in the manufacture of products in a factory and their subsequent delivery to where they're needed.  The Golgi body, found in all cells, plays an important role in packaging newly synthesized proteins and differentiating and selecting between different types of protein. The various proteins found in various sections of the cell are synthesized in another part of the cell called the endoplasmic reticulum, or ER. Minutes after the proteins are synthesized, they move quickly out of the ER and towards the Golgi body. There are many important reasons why they undergo various changes in the Golgi body after being made. For example, to some of them are attached carbohydrate groups, to others sulphate or phosphate groups, and to still others, fatty acids. These modifications vary according to a protein's type and where it is to wind up. The Golgi body purifies these proteins and separates and packages them, according to their type and destination. It also produces the packages according to the type of cell where the proteins are destined to go. In order for the biochemical activity of the thousands of proteins synthesized in the ER not to become mixed up, however, these processes must be carried out with great sensitivity, and each protein must be directed towards its destination. The tiny organelle known as the Golgi body organizes this traffic. It displays great awareness in every process it carries out. It recognizes the proteins that come to it, separates them, determines their needs, carries out its production according to their needs, identifies their function, packages them, and organizes this traffic flow without any confusion. The One Who inspired the cell and the organelles within it, with the ability to decide and apply the knowledge is the Lord of the worlds—that is, God. Those who find themselves awestruck in the face of these cellular miracles and who witness God's superior knowledge can only be shocked at the evolutionists' claims that all this came to be as a result of coincidence. He created the heavens and the Earth with truth and formed you, giving you the best of forms. And He is your final destination. (Qur'an, 64: 3)

THE LIVER AS A GIANT LABORATORY

No one could claim that a fully equipped laboratory, fitted out with the latest technology could come about by itself, by chance. But evolutionists claim that the liver's unparalleled laboratory complex arose by itself, advocating this claim with no proof at all. This is because Darwinism is a superstitious belief system, a spell that blinds one's mind.

Five hundred separate processes take place in just one cell of the liver. Most of these (which take place faultlessly in milliseconds, that is, thousandths of a second) still have not been reproduced under laboratory conditions. Liver cells convert the food we eat into stored energy, that is glycogen, which the liver stores and converts to glucose as needed by the body to satisfy its energy needs.

In short, even while we eat all manner of food we like, the liver uses, converts or stores this food's energy according to our body's needs. And from the first human until today, trillions of liver cells have acted with exactly the same consciousness and knowledge, with no confusion.

CELLS THAT COMMIT SUICIDE TO KEEP THE BODY FROM HARM

Many cells produce a series of proteins in order to destroy themselves when they become superfluous, defective or diseased. However, so long as a cell is beneficial to the body, these proteins are obstructed from doing their deadly duty. If the cell becomes diseased, turns renegade or cancerous, or begins to threaten the health of the organism, the fatal proteins are released and activated to kill off the offending cell.

The cell's ability to make the right decision at the right time and place is very important. In the event that it can't, that is, when the killer proteins are activated in a healthy cell, then healthy tissue will die, and the result will be death of the whole organism. But if the harmful or diseased cells are allowed to survive, then the organism may die too.

A cell that has "decided" to commit suicide and activated its killer protein, first shrinks and pulls away from its neighbors. Soon blebs appear on its surface, and it appears to boil. Then its nucleus and finally, the cell itself break apart. Other surrounding cells immediately ingest its remaining fragments.

A more interesting event is that the other living cells do not clean up all the dead ones. Some are deliberately left alone, because they have not yet completed their duties. For example, tissues such as the lens of the eye, the surface of the skin, and the nails are all composed of dead cells. But because the body has need of them, they are not destroyed. The important fact that trillions of cells in the body all make decisions about which dead cells to destroy and which to leave alone is a point worth reflecting on.

What gives the cell consciousness to make and apply such vital decisions? Who taught the cell to recognize conditions that bring harm to the larger organism it finds itself in? And Who inspires this microscopic life form to ward off harm?

As has been explained here, all cells have been programmed in the best fashion to let organisms continue their existence. But in that case, Who is the Master of that program?

Evolutionists have become blind enough to believe that the master of this extraordinary program is unconscious coincidence. But God's unique creation and infinite knowledge are clearly manifested in every detail of a living organism.

BACTERIA-DESTROYING MACHINES IN THE LIVER

In a very short time, special Kupffer cells in the liver neutralize bacteria arriving from the small intestine.

Bacteria that we cannot see enter our bodies through the food we eat, via the air we breathe, or by any number of other ways. Harmful bacteria must be neutralized before they upset the workings of the body. For this reason, certain cells in the body, whose sole duty is defense, have been endowed with perfect memory. However, as an example of the body's faultless design, many additional defense measures have been set up. One line of defense is provided by certain cells found in the liver—a strategic point in the circulatory system.

In less than 0.01 of a second, the so-called Kupffer cells digest and neutralize any harmful bacteria that pass through the bloodstream from the small intestine to the liver. Out of all of the countless bacteria that enter the body, how can these unthinking cells distinguish those that can cause harm from those that are beneficial? How can these cells destroy some bacteria, but leave others untouched—without knowing the bacteria's characteristics or what they will do, once inside the body?

At this point, another important fact requires consideration: that Kupffer cells are found in the liver. But why the liver, and not any other organ? Here is still another proof of our bodies' perfect creation. Had these cells been placed in any other organ in the body except the liver, the cleansing of the blood from bacteria wouldn't have been as effective.

Because after being cleansed in the liver, the blood then enters the general circulatory system, to circulate throughout the entire body. And so, fewer than one in a hundred bacteria ever succeed in reaching the general circulation. What sort of blind coincidence could have ensured the placement of Kupffer cells in the liver, out of all the organs in the body?

The cells themselves can't determine the most appropriate place for them to go, much less set about going there. The body is composed of approximately 100 trillion cells, and it's not possible for any one of them to possess consciousness enough to determine a spot for itself and travel to settle there.

Such a faultless plan requires the existence of a superior mind, one that belongs to the One Who knows every inch of our body and Who created us from nothing in the most appropriate of designs—that is, God.

YOU ARE NEVER IN CONTROL OF YOUR BREATH, BECAUSE SOME OF YOUR CELLS CONTROL IT FOR YOU

If regulation of our breathing were left up to us we would probably die of asphyxiation from forgetting to breathe, falling asleep or being preoccupied with other activities.

For every human being, this crucial process is regulated by the respiratory center, which is the size of a lentil bean and is located in the brain stem (an extension of the brain). It is made up of three different groups of neurons.

The first group determines the basic rhythm of breathing and gives the lungs and the chest the signal to inhale air. In this way, we breathe in the air we need.

The second group of cells determines the speed and pattern of our breathing. When this second group comes into play, however, the cells signal to the first group to halt their activity. This controls the air capacity of our lungs, and our breathing speeds up.

The third group, on the other hand, is not normally active. They come into play when a high rate of breathing is needed and they ensure that the abdominal muscles participate by sending them signals.

Is all of this enough to keep us alive? No.

Respiration is also controlled chemically. Breathing's aim is to maintain the correct balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in our blood. Any change in this balance activates a group of cells in the respiratory center, bringing the levels back to normal with very sensitive adjustments. 

But the amount of oxygen in the blood has no direct effect on the respiratory center. In that case, how does the respiratory center become aware of the change in oxygen level in the blood?

At this point, another group of cells comes into action, displaying a miraculous consciousness. In large veins outside of the brain, such as the jugular, highly sensitive receptors send signals to the respiratory center when the blood oxygen level falls below a certain level. In this way, respiration is regulated with very finely tuned adjustments.

How can a group of cells know how much oxygen is needed for the body to stay alive?

How can these cells have used such a mechanism, which has been in place from the first human until now, when only in the last 20 years has science discovered this mechanism?

Moreover, this mechanism is so sensitive that for the entire duration of our lives, no mistake is ever made when sitting, running or sleeping. It ensures that at every second, vital oxygen is carried to the 100 trillion other cells in our body, and that harmful waste products like carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions are speedily removed.

Even though they know the truth, some scientists, fanatically committed to the theory of evolution because of their obsession with materialism, claim that this perfection came about as a result of blind coincidence. Whereas the Creator of this perfect order is clearly the Possessor of infinite intelligence—that is, God.

YOUR CELLS CAN DO WHAT YOU CANNOT

Pretend that various samples of powdered metal are placed before you, and you are asked to determine what each metal is. Would your analysis be correct?

If you haven't been educated in the field of metallurgy, this would be impossible for you. But this analysis, which a conscious being like you cannot perform, is done quite easily by the approximately 100 trillion cells in your body—and without any thinking, or calculations, or difficulty. Moreover, not only the cells in your body have this ability, but so do the untold trillions of cells in the bodies of the billions who have ever lived on Earth.

Most people cannot identify minerals placed in front of them. However, cells in our body can distinguish between minerals, oxygen, sodium and potassium, and isolate the elements it wants and take them in.

Your cells can easily recognize iron, which your body needs, and can absorb it for use. With the same ease, cells can recognize phosphorus, nitrogen, oxygen, sodium, potassium and other substances and can gather them together to use, or else store the excess. They can even send out any extra material that isn't needed.

Consider that the cell is a structure made up of proteins, molecules, and atoms and is about a thousandth of a millimeter in size. It has no hands or arms, no eyes, ears or brain. Unlike you, it has no consciousness. If so, how can it recognize these substances?

This ability is brought about by God's inspiration to each cell. It is the Possessor of knowledge and power Who confers this ability requiring clear insight and consciousness, upon blind and unconscious atoms.

YOUR LIFE CONTINUES BECAUSE OF THE CONSCIOUS DIVISION OF LABOR OF YOUR CELLS

Vitamin B12 is used in bone marrow. It is absorbed by the stomach and small intestine, then sent to the bone marrow.

Vitamin B₁₂ is very important for the continuation of life because it is used in the production of blood. Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency leads to anemia, which can lead to death. However, the body cannot use this vitamin on its own. This is why stomach mucous secretes a substance that allows vitamin B₁₂ to be absorbed and play its vital role in blood production. In a special place in the small intestine, there are cells whose sole duty is to absorb vitamin B₁₂.

Now, blood production, after a series of complicated processes, takes place mainly in the bone marrow. But most bone marrow is located far away from the stomach.

How can the use of a vitamin needed by the bone marrow depend on a substance made by stomach cells? And how is it that a few cells, at a specific site in the small intestine, take upon themselves the duty of absorbing this vitamin?

For all of this to occur, cells in both the stomach and the small intestine must possess knowledge, being aware and in control of the details of blood production—a process that takes place a very far distance away.

In addition, they must realize how important this production is for the body. In short, in the deepest and darkest of places in your body, systems and amazingly conscious processes take place between cells, leaving scientists dumbfounded upon learning about them.

Without a doubt, these cells cannot will such clear consciousness and faultless processes to take place. It is God, the Lord of the heavens and the Earth, Who created the vitamin B12 and programmed cells with the knowledge to be able to use it.

FOR EVENTS TO TAKE PLACE IN YOUR CELLS, KNOWLEDGE IS REQUIRED

Digested food that has come from the stomach to the small intestine contains very strong acids—posing a serious danger to the duodenum, because unlike the stomach, the duodenum has no special lining to protect it from acid.

So how is it that the duodenum escapes damage from the acids in digested food? Determining the answer requires us to examine the events that take place during digestion, and an awareness of the amazing processes that occur in our bodies.

When the level of acid reaching the duodenum from the stomach becomes dangerously high, the walls of the duodenum release a hormone called secretin, which protects the duodenum and is found in the walls of the small intestine in an inactive form, called prosecretin. On contact with acid, prosecretin is converted into secretin.

Released into the bloodstream, secretin travels to the pancreas where it stimulates the release of enzymes. The pancreas, on learning by the presence of secretin that it is in trouble, sends to the duodenum bicarbonate ions that neutralize the acid and thereby protect the duodenum.

How did these processes, so vital to human life, come about? Located in the pancreas is "knowledge" of the substance needed by the duodenum cells, and the formula to activate them. The way the pancreas "understands" the message sent by the duodenum, and its subsequent release of bicarbonate ions are all miraculous.

Here, in talking about the intestinal cells, we use terms like "knowledge" and "understanding" to emphasize the events that take place in the human body. However, as every conscious person can appreciate, it is impossible for a cell to think, to possess the will to make decisions, or to be aware of what's transpiring with other organs and produce enzymes and hormones in response.

The unique Possessor of knowledge, Who created these cells together with these capabilities, is God. With these features that He has created in our own bodies, He demonstrates to us His infinite power.

WHEN YOU EAT SUGAR, A GIANT FACTORY GOES TO WORK IN YOUR BODY

When insulin binds to a receptor in the cell membrane (1), special proteins in the cell (2) go into action. This is a signal to glucose transporters. In addition, there are glucose sacs in the inner part of the cell (3).  Some are close to the cell membrane (4). On receiving the signal, these sacs move towards the cell membrane and fuse with it (5), exposing the glucose transporters (6). With the increase in the number of transport proteins that take glucose into the cell, the glucose level in the blood drops and less insulin is produced. A short while later, a portion of the cell membrane, together with the transport proteins, curls around towards the inside of the cell (7), forming a vesicle (8). Moving toward the middle of the cell, it combines with the endosome (9). Here, once new sacs are formed, it awaits a new signal (10), and the process continues. endosome

If you happen to eat food that contains more sugar than you need, what prevents a rise of sugar in your blood?

1. First of all, cells in your pancreas locate and isolate the sugar molecules, out of hundreds of other molecules in the blood. In addition, it decides whether the number of these molecules is too great or too small—that is, they are effectively counted. Tiny cells that you can't even see with your naked eye, that have no eyes, brains or hands, can calculate the number of sugar molecules in the blood plasma—this is certainly something worth thinking about!

2. If these pancreas cells determine that the blood contains too many sugar molecules, they decide to store this extra sugar. They cannot carry out this storage process themselves, however, stimulate other cells located very far away to do this for them.

3. But these distant cells will not store sugar unless they receive an order to do so. So the pancreatic cells release a hormone that tells these distant cells to start storing sugar. The formula for this hormone, which we call insulin, is encoded in the DNA of the pancreas cells since they were first formed.

4. Next, special enzymes, or worker proteins found in the pancreatic cells read this formula, then begin producing insulin according to its directions. To effect this synthesis, hundreds of different enzymes go at work on different tasks.

5. The synthesized insulin is then dispatched to the target cells, through the blood—which is the most reliable and speedy manner.

6. Other cells that read the insulin's order to store sugar obey this command without fail. Gateways open up, allowing the sugar molecules to pass through into the cells.

7. These gateways don't open up indiscriminately, however. Out of the hundreds of different molecules in the blood, storage cells isolate, capture, and take in only sugar molecules.

8. Under no circumstances do the cells disobey the orders that reach them. They don't misread the order, or try to capture other molecules, or try to store more sugar than they need to. They work with great discipline.

When you drink tea that has too much sugar in it, this extraordinary system goes into action and stores the excess. If this system were not working, your blood sugar level would rise to the point that you would slip into a coma and die. This is such a perfect system that if need arises, it works in exactly the opposite direction. If your blood sugar level falls below normal, the pancreas produces a completely different hormone called glucagon, which sends a "Release sugar into the blood" command to those same cells that had stored it previously, and these cells obey.

How is it that these cells, possessing no brain, nervous system, eyes, or ears, can carry out such fine calculations and perform them so perfectly? How can this unconscious tissue, the products of protein and fat, carry out amazing functions that even people cannot? What is the source of the obviously great consciousness displayed by these unconscious molecules? All these events are evident signs of the existence and power of God, Who is Ruler over the whole universe and all creatures.

What is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to God. God encompasses all things.
(Qur'an, 4: 126)

CLEAR PROOF OF CREATION: KIDNEYS THAT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GLUCOSE, PROTEIN AND SODIUM

Throughout your life, your two kidneys cleanse the blood flowing throughout your body.

Some of the material that they filter out is sent back to the body, while the rest, of no further use, is discarded into the bladder. But how do the kidneys distinguish between protein, urea, sodium, glucose and many other substances?

The structure that filters waste products from the blood is a cluster of capillaries, called the glomerulus. Unlike capillaries in other parts of the body, these are surrounded by a membrane composed of three layers. And with great meticulousness, these three layers decide which substances will be filtered and excreted, and which will be retained and sent back to the body. Now, on what basis—and with which mechanism—does a cell membrane analyze, one by one, substances coming through the bloodstream and decide where they need to go? 

In any liter of blood, there are dozens of dissolved compounds that reach the kidneys, including glucose, bicarbonate, sodium, chlorine, urea, and creatine. The kidneys excrete from the body some of these substances entirely, remove only parts of some others, and still others they return to the bloodstream in their entirety. But how does a piece of tissue decide which substances to discard, and how much? The answer lies in the fact that kidney tissue has been created with a perfect plan.

The glomeruli's selectivity is determined by the electric charge and size of the molecules it detects in the blood. This means that the glomeruli have the ability to determine the molecular weight of the sodium and glucose and the negative charge of the proteins all mixed up in the blood. In this way, proteins vital to the body are not discarded, but retained for further use.

 But the glomerulus is made up of capillaries only. How do you suppose that a structure can possess such superior discrimination, even though it's never been educated in chemistry, physics or biology? The glomeruli can carry out such functions faultlessly because they act through the inspiration given to them by the One Who created them—that is, God.

Under no circumstances is their selection of substances left to chance. If it were, by the time these unconscious organs located the correct molecules, our bodies could no longer function. All of this is just one proof of the perfect creation of God.

WHAT GOES ON IN YOUR BODY WHEN YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE DROPS?

In our daily lives, frequently we hear people complain, "My blood pressure's too low" or, "I've got high blood pressure." Very few of them are even aware that regulating their blood pressure is the duty of the kidneys.

Aside from many other bodily functions, the kidneys have also taken up the task of adjusting blood pressure or tension. In determining blood pressure, the most important factor is the amount of fluid in the blood vessels. Along with any increase of fluid in the veins and arteries, blood pressure increases—thereby causing long-term harm to all organs in the body. Hypertension—that is, an increase in the amount of fluid in the blood vessels poses a dangerous situation for human beings. If measures are not taken, death will result.

The body's able to sense an increase in fluid in the blood vessels, thanks to receptors located in the front chambers of the heart. The heart stretches when a large amount of fluid enters it and, in response to this, receptors send a signal to the brain, which responds by causing the renal arteries to increase their filtering action. An increase in blood pressure causes the heart to stretch even more. With this stretching, the muscle fibers are extended, releasing messenger molecules trapped within them, which then enter the bloodstream.

This "message" thus reaches the kidneys through the circulation. In response, the amount of fluid excreted from the body increases. In this way, blood pressure returns to normal, and the heart can resume its normal beating.

The kidneys' duty in regulating blood pressure doesn't end there. In circumstances where the blood pressure is too low, an enzyme called renin is secreted by specialized cells of juxtaglomerular apparatus, or JGA located in the kidneys. Renin has no direct effect in raising blood pressure, however. It combines with angiotensinogen, another substance secreted far away in the liver, to form angiotensin I in the blood.

Once again, angiotensin I has no major effect on blood pressure. This hormone  is in turn converted to angiotensin II, by the action of another substance present in the lungs called angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE. This enzyme's sole duty is to degrade angiotensin I. 

And so, the end product of all of these steps is the only molecule that directly affects blood vessels and actually brings blood pressure back to normal. If this "ultimate' molecule is not synthesized, none of its precursors can have any effect on blood pressure. Again, only when the angiotensin II molecule binds to specific receptors on the cell surface, do the vessels constrict and blood pressure increases.

Here, the most important point to consider is that each of these substances' effects are interdependent. Since the absence of one molecule means the absence of all, how could even one of these steps have evolved through chance? For if even one step cannot come about by chance, then it's impossible for all the others to arise at the same time, in one single body.

 No one could argue that coincidence can confer upon the kidneys the ability of understanding, or to take precautions or make decisions. That all these details exist at the same time is a clear indication that they were created by God.

He is God—the Creator, the Maker, the Giver of Form. To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Everything in the heavens and Earth glorifies Him. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.

(Qur'an, 59: 24)

THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

Oxygen is one of the most important substances needed for the life of body tissues. For this reason, oxygen must be delivered to the tissues constantly, and in sufficient quantities. One of the body's most important components is the perfect circulatory system, which faultlessly performs this oxygen-carrying duty. When the oxygen levels in the tissues fall, an immediate, automatic and substantial increase in blood flow ensues. It's a known fact that if the need arises, the blood flow can increase by a factor of seven.

When the level of oxygen in the organs drops, a message is sent to speed up the circulatory system. As a result, the increased blood flow to the tissues lets organs satisfy their need for oxygen.

The working components of this system include tissues, cells, blood vessels, and proteins—none of which has any consciousness, knowledge, or decision-making mechanism. Most people live out their lives ignorant that such a mechanism even exists! So Who is the possessor of the knowledge, mind, and decision-making ability to perceive the drop in oxygen level in the tissues, inform the circulatory system, order it to increase blood flow, and finally bring the flow back to normal after the danger has passed? Who determines what type of information should be sent to which cell? And how can the cells that receive the message read, understand and apply it? No cell can possibly have the ability to read or understand. Much more can be researched about this topic, but the conclusion will always be the same: No cell has the consciousness able to conduct these processes to maintain the balance in the level of oxygen.

As with all other creations in the universe, animate and inanimate, the structures and systems in our body all act according to God's commands. The consciousness in every atom, molecule, and protein in the cells, organs, and bodies of all creatures is a product of God's creativity.

That is God, your Lord. There is no deity but Him, the Creator of everything. So worship Him. He is responsible for everything. 

(Qur'an, 6: 102)

NITRIC OXIDE: THE MIRACLE MOLECULE THAT DILATES BLOOD VESSELS

Hormones make their way through a blood vessel,	and bind onto receptors on the blood vessel lining.	A chain reaction is initiated.	The vessel lining begins production of nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide molecules reach the vascular smooth muscle cells. Nitric oxide binds onto an enzyme in the cell. In this way, the activated enzyme begins to synthesize cGMP from GTP.
cGMP then travels to the myosin and activates it.		As a result, the muscle cells relax and dilate.

Three scientists who won the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine discovered that molecules of nitric oxide (NO), released by blood vessels, had the ability to relax them. The NO molecule regulates tension in the walls of blood vessels, but doesn't carry out this act by itself. Rather, it functions as a mediator in relaxing the blood vessel.

To understand how this cascade process works, examine the diagram on the next page. For the vessels to relax, first of all some hormones in the blood start the process by sending an alert, binding to receptors found in the blood vessel lining. We can compare this to a domino effect, when a single domino falls and brings down a whole row of others. Immediately after the hormone sets off an alert signal by binding to the receptor, the vessel lining "realizes" what it must do and begins producing nitric oxide. Some of the NO molecules, "knowing" what they have to do as soon as they are released, head quickly for the vascular smooth muscle cells. Entering the cells, they bind to an enzyme.

This is the second step. But in order for the vessel to relax, yet a third step must be reached. Once NO has combined with the enzyme in the smooth muscle cell, GTP (guanosine triphosphate) is converted to cyclic guanosine monophosphate, or cGMP. Obviously, this newly synthesized molecule has a role to play in this cascade and, to bring this about, it makes its way to myosin. Myosin is a necessary protein needed in the contraction and relaxation of muscle cells. Here, the final step has been reached. With the action of myosin the last domino falls, and the muscle cells relax.

Reviewing these steps again, we see that the hormones and cells taking part in this process act in a thoroughly knowledgeable manner. The alerting hormones found in the blood go to the appropriate place, influencing the vessel lining and initiating the process. Similar insight is displayed throughout the rest of the whole process. Every signal makes its way to the correct place in the body, never getting lost in that very dark place, and always meeting with success.

But how can these cells, hormones and molecules effect such conscious actions? Could this consciousness be one of their innate properties? Certainly not! But knowledge and consciousness is certainly necessary to direct all these processes, to let cells know when and what to produce and to inform hormones and other molecules of the correct "address" and show them the way. The inspiration of this infinite knowledge, informing the cells, hormones and other molecules of their necessary actions, emanates from God.

It is He Who is God in heaven and God on earth.He is the All-Wise, the All-Knowing.
(Qur'an, 43: 84)