A NEW BOOK AT ICR-THE DESIGN AND COMPLEXITY OF THE CELL by Jeffrey P. Tomkins, Ph.D.

    

The Design and Complexity of the Cell

by Jeffrey P. Tomkins, Ph.D.

The majority of scientifically trained biologists and geneticists are taught that the apparent design that is observed in cells is the result of only random chemical and energy processes operating over eons of time. Such a belief system prompts their thinking to rest on purely natural logic, producing materialistic conclusions—and often ignoring or marginalizing the implications of careful engineering and design.

There are, however, multiple thousands of scientists who accept the Bible’s message that there is a Creator who planned the creation, designed the intricate engineering efficiencies into that creation, and then built the product: our planet and its wonderfully unique life and functions. That belief system not only fits empirically with what is observed (design, precise function, operational efficiencies, etc.), but provides insight that enables creation-based scientists to grasp the significance of the information more readily—without having to invent a supposed eons-long story for the development of what is actually observed.

Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins and his contributing colleagues have provided an excellent resource that documents and helps explain the intricate processes of cells, and gives keen insight for “clearly seeing” the obvious hand of the Creator in the “things that are made” (Romans 1:20).

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Click here for more information about Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins and contributing authors.

Primary Author

Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins

Research Associate

Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins earned a master’s degree in Plant Science in 1990 from the University of Idaho, where he performed research in plant hormones. He received his Ph.D. in Genetics from Clemson University in 1996. While at Clemson, he worked as a research technician in a plant breeding/genetics program, with a research focus in the area of quantitative and physiological genetics in soybean. After receiving his Ph.D., he worked at a genomics institute and became a faculty member in the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry at Clemson. He had become a Christian as an undergraduate at Washington State University in 1982, with a goal to eventually work as a scientist and author in the creation science field. In 2009, Dr. Tomkins joined the Institute for Creation Research as Research Associate. He is the primary author of The Design and Complexity of the Cell.

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 Contributing Authors

Dr. Nathaniel Jeanson

Deputy Director for Life Sciences

 Contribution:

• Chapter 9: The Biology of Stem Cells

• Chapter 10: Processes and Implications of Stem Cell Research

For more information about Dr. Jeanson, click here.

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Dr. Brad Forlow

 Contribution:

• Appendix 2: The Development of Pharmaceutical Therapeutics

Dr. Randy Guliuzza

National Representative

 Contribution:

• Life’s Indispensable Microscopic Machines

• Life-Giving Blood

• Human Reproduction

• Immune Systems, The Body’s Security Force

• Darwinian Medicine: A Prescription for Failure

For more information about Dr. Guliuzza, click here.

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Brian Thomas

Science Writer

 Contribution:

• Have Scientists Created a Synthetic Cell?

• Where Did Flesh-eating Bacteria Come From?

• Brain’s Complexity “Is Beyond Anything Imagined”

• The Mysteries of Stunning Soft Tissue Fossil Finds

For more information about Mr. Thomas, click here.

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Frank Sherwin

Research Associate, Senior Lecturer, and Science Writer

 Contribution:

• Cells: Sophisticated and God-Designed

For more information about Mr. Sherwin, click here.

Click here to read the Foreword by Dr. Henry Morris III.

Foreword

The functions within the cells of our bodies are foundational to our existence. Understanding these functions has made the environment and the processes of our lifestyles healthier, more enjoyable, and more productive. All of humanity has benefited from the life sciences and the scientists who have dedicated their considerable skills to uncovering the functions and processes of the multifaceted variety of cells.

Although scientists have discovered, documented, and developed wonderful insights about the complex information, precise sequential processes, and unique interwoven controls within cells, there is a huge chasm among scientists when they try to understand how these highly efficient processes got started in the first place.

The majority of scientifically trained biologists and geneticists are taught that the apparent design that is observed in cells is the result of only random chemical and energy processes operating over eons of time. Such a belief system prompts their thinking to rest on purely natural logic, producing materialistic conclusions— and often ignoring or marginalizing the implications of careful engineering and design.

There are, however, multiple thousands of scientists who accept the Bible’s message that there is a Creator who planned the creation, designed the intricate engineering efficiencies into that creation, and then built the product: our planet and its wonderfully unique life and functions. That belief system not only fits empirically with what is observed (design, precise function, operational efficiencies, etc.), but provides insight that enables creation-based scientists to grasp the significance of the information more readily—without having to invent a supposed eons-long story for the development of what is actually observed. Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins and his contributing colleagues have provided an excellent resource that will document and help explain the intricate processes of cells and give some keen insight for “clearly seeing” the obvious hand of the Creator in the “things that are made” (Romans 1:20).

Each chapter is written for technical accuracy. Most high school biology students will find the information similar to what is in their textbooks—but more carefully explained regarding the clear presence of design. Interspersed throughout the book are short articles that will provide specific examples of the cellular functions as they impact system operation. These examples will provide observable applications of how these marvelous processes insure that the purpose of each design is fulfilled.

At the end of each chapter is an information summary that will reinforce the science discussed and outline the design characteristics easily identified by the discoveries.

This book is designed as a scientific resource and ready reference, as well as an apologetic tool to use as a witness of the omnipotent and omniscient Creator and Savior. Our prayer at the Institute for Creation Research is that you will find both of these purposes fulfilled in your life.

Henry M. Morris III
Chief Executive Officer
Institute for Creation Research

Click here to see the Table of Contents.

Table of Contents			Page
Contributors			7
Foreword			9
Introduction			10
Chapter 1	Dogma and Science Surrounding Cell Origins		13
		Abiogenesis	13
		The Evolutionary Problem of the Cell	17
		Have Scientists Created Artificial Life?	18
		Summary	19
		Application: Have Scientists Created a Synthetic Cell?	20
Chapter 2	A Basic Description of Cells and Cell Types		23
		A Basic Definition of Cells	23
		Two Basic Cell Types in Biology	25
		Prokaryotic Cell Characteristics	27
		Development of a Model System for Cell Biology	30
		E. coli: The Prokaryotic Model for Evolution	30
		The Role of Cells in Biological Creation	31
		Summary	33
		Application: Life’s Indispensable Microscopic Machines	34
Chapter 3	Eukaryotic Cells and Multicellularity		37
		The Highly Engineered Eukaryotic Nucleus and Mitochondria	38
		Mitochondria: The Evolutionary Model of Symbiosis Is Unsupported	40
		Plant Cell Chloroplasts	41
		Additional Eukaryotic Cell Characteristics	42
		Summary	45
		Application: Life-Giving Blood	46
Chapter 4	Genes and Proteins		49
		DNA: The Cell’s Genetic Blueprint	49
		Making a Protein	50
		A Masterpiece of Design and Purpose	53
		Summary	54
		Application: Where Did Flesh-Eating Bacteria Come From?	55
Chapter 5	Cell Division and DNA Replication: How Life Is Engineered to Perpetuate		57
		Cell Division: The Basic Biological Process Required for Life	57
		Mitosis	59
		Meiosis	60
		Summary	64
		Application: Brain’s Complexity “Is Beyond Anything Imagined”	65
Chapter 6	Cell Signaling: The Miracle of the Biological Network		67
		Cell Surface Receptors	67
		Neurons	69
		Summary	71
		Application: Human Reproduction	72
Chapter 7	The Cytoskeleton and the Extracellular Matrix: How Biology Achieves Shape, Form, and Movement		75
		Actin Filaments and Microtubules	75
		Junctions between Cells	77
		The Extracellular Matrix	79
		Summary	80
		Application: The Mysteries of Stunning Soft Tissue Fossil Finds	81
Chapter 8	Cells in Creation, Sin, and Redemption		83
		Plants	83
		Photosynthesis and Respiration	84
		Water, Air, and Land Creatures	85
		Consequences of the Curse	86
		Summary	87
		Application: Immune Systems, the Body’s Security Force	88
Chapter 9	The Biology of Stem Cells		91
		The Biology of Adult Stem Cells	91
		Cellular Mechanisms of Self-Renewal and Differentiation	93
		Molecular Mechanisms of Self-Renewal and Differentiation	94
		The Biology of Embryonic Stem Cells	95
		How Embryonic Stem Cells Work: Mechanisms of ESC Self-Renewal and Differentiation	95
		The Origins of Human Cellular Diversity: The Fact of Creation and the Insufficiency of Evolution	96
		Summary	97
		Application: Darwinian Medicine: A Prescription for Failure	98
Chapter 10	Processes and Implications of Stem Cell Research		101
		Reprogramming and Cloning	103
		Stem Cells and Medicine: Cell Therapy	105
		Stem Cell Ethics	106
		Conclusion	109
		Summary	110
		Application: Cells: Sophisticated and God-Designed	111
Appendix 1	Biology and the Bible		113
Appendix 2			117
		Therapeutic Intervention	117
		Pharmaceutical Drug Discovery and Development	118
		Pharmacological Inhibition	123
		Conclusion	124
Glossary			125
Credits			128
Index			129

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