A Wary Inspector: The Cell Membrane

Think of a building where very strict security measures are enforced; nothing harmful is allowed to enter, extraordinary controls are exercised and only then may newcomers be admitted. Yet, suppose that this building performs these functions all by itself. Suppose it acts like a living organism without any interference or assistance. With today's technology, it might be possible for a building to act like a conscious entity, in other words, to execute security controls using the aid of computers and do identity checks. What, then, would you think if we tell you that such a system actually already exists in a place which measures only one-hundred-thousandth of a millimeter? Even with today's technology, such an achievement is clearly beyond us. Yet, this does not mean that such a system does not exist anywhere on Earth.

This extraordinary system, which you might imagine impossible when you hear of it for the first time, has existed since it first came into being. Such a system already exists in the membrane of every one of the approximately 100 trillion cells which make up the human body.

The cell membrane demonstrates characteristics such as making decisions, remembering, and evaluating, which are some of the basic features of human beings. It maintains connections with adjacent cells and also controls incoming and outgoing cell traffic in a very sensitive way.

Because of its great decision-making skills, its memory and the wisdom it shows, the cell membrane is considered to be the brain of a cell. Yet, the cell membrane is so thin that it can be detected only by using an electron microscope. The membrane looks like a two-sided wall. This wall is equipped with gates that enable getting in and out and with receptors that enable the membrane to identify the outside environment. They are located on the cell wall and cautiously control all traffic.

The first job of the cell membrane is to keep the cell organelles together by wrapping around them. In addition, it provides necessary substances from outside in order to enable these organelles to function properly. While doing this, the cell membrane behaves very economically; it does not let in a greater amount than it needs. It determines harmful waste material without losing time and expels it right away. The role of the cell membrane is very crucial; it does not accept the slightest error, as any error or defect means the death of the cell.

It is obvious that such intelligent acts and conscious decisions of the cell membrane, a layer composed of lipids and protein molecules, are not generated by itself alone. Anyone who possesses wisdom and consciousness can easily see that that such a system cannot originate by chance. Both the cell and the membrane that covers the cell have been created by God, the possessor of ultimate knowledge. And they serve the purposes that God, Who has created them perfectly, has determined for them.