Flagellum: Evolution or Creation?
by Owen Borville
May 31, 2019, updated July 30, 2024
Biology
The flagellum has been mentioned as a testimony to creative design and a problem for evolutionary ideas in biology. The flagellum is described as a long, slender feature that extends from the body of certain microscopic bacteria and eukaryotic cells. Some cells can have more than one flagellum. The purpose of the flagellum is primarily for locomotion, or for the aid of movement of the cell or organism. In addition, the flagellum acts as a sensory feature that helps the cell or organism function in its surrounding liquid environment. The structure of flagella can vary but the general purpose is for movement, as this feature helps the organism or cell swim inside its environment. Bacterial flagella move in a rotary motion clockwise or counterclockwise, while archaeal flagella are similar to bacterial flagella. Eukaryotic flagella of animal, plant, and protist cells, however, move in a lashing back and forth motion.
The creation model questions the proposed random, gradual, evolutionist explanation for the origin of the flagellum and its various types. The creation model explains that the flagellum is extremely complex and cannot have originated by chance, therefore giving strong evidence for the design of a powerful and capable creator who created this feature at one time during the creation week and did not evolve from simpler form over long periods of time. Creationists explain that the parts of the flagellum are complex and that the flagellum could not function if all of the parts were not present at once.
The flagellum has been described as "irreducibly complex" by Michael Behe, Ph.D and author of Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution and specifically explains that no part of the feature is of use or cannot function without all of the other parts. The flagellum has also been described as an engine or machine used in a factory, except that this machine needs a microscope to be seen. How can something so small be so complex? Only by the power of an Intelligent Designer. If all of the parts of the flagellum are needed at the same time in order to function, the flagellum could not have "evolved" slowly over million of years, but rather must have been created or appeared at once. Most bacteria simply could not survive without the flagellum.
In fact, scientists have determined that at least 30 proteins found in the flagellum motor do not exist in any other biological system, and therefore, how could these parts have "evolved" if they are unique and are not found anywhere else? Another unique feature of the flagellum is that it self-assembles and repairs itself. In addition, the rotary motor of bacterial flagellum can rotate at speeds of tens of thousands of rotations per minute while some have been timed at up to 100,000 rotations per minute. The complexity of the flagellum is incredible and is the testament to the design of a powerful creator. Those who support the gradual evolution explanation for the origin of living systems have a difficult time explaining the origin and design features of the flagellum. Yet, despite the strong evidence of design in living systems, many continue to be fooled by the outdated ideas of a 19th century naturalist named Charles Darwin.
The flagellum is a remarkable structure found in many bacteria, allowing them to swim and navigate their environment. Howard Berg, a renowned biophysicist who made significant contributions to our understanding of bacterial motility. The flagellum is a whip-like appendage that protrudes from the bacterial cell surface. It acts as a propeller, enabling bacteria to move by rotating like a tiny outboard motor. The rotation generates thrust, propelling the bacterium through its surroundings.
In the 1970s, Howard Berg demonstrated that bacterial motility (in some species) results from flagellar rotation. The flagellar motor, a complex nanomachine, drives this rotation. It consists of multiple proteins embedded in the bacterial cell envelope. Berg’s work significantly advanced our mechanistic understanding of flagellar motors.
Cyclic di-GMP and surface sensing: Bacterial cells can switch between free-swimming and sessile (surface-attached) lifestyles. Past research, including studies from Berg’s lab, showed that flagellar motors respond to changes in the external environment.
Berg hypothesized that cyclic di-GMP (a small molecule) might play a role in sensing and signaling pathways, allowing bacteria to adapt to new environments. In a recent study, researchers visualized cyclic di-GMP concentration changes when Escherichia coli cells encountered a solid surface. The increase in cyclic di-GMP upon attachment depended on a functional flagellar motor. Interestingly, individual cell responses varied stochastically, and some were preceded by a spike in internal pH1.
Berg famously described the bacterial flagellum as “the most efficient machine in the universe” due to its precision and complexity. The flagella bidirectional gearshift allows both forward and reverse swimming, akin to a versatile transmission system. Howard Berg’s legacy lives on through his groundbreaking work on flagellar motors. These tiny propellers continue to inspire awe and reveal the intricate machinery within bacterial cells.
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mcb.harvard.edu
link.springer.com
by Owen Borville
May 31, 2019, updated July 30, 2024
Biology
The flagellum has been mentioned as a testimony to creative design and a problem for evolutionary ideas in biology. The flagellum is described as a long, slender feature that extends from the body of certain microscopic bacteria and eukaryotic cells. Some cells can have more than one flagellum. The purpose of the flagellum is primarily for locomotion, or for the aid of movement of the cell or organism. In addition, the flagellum acts as a sensory feature that helps the cell or organism function in its surrounding liquid environment. The structure of flagella can vary but the general purpose is for movement, as this feature helps the organism or cell swim inside its environment. Bacterial flagella move in a rotary motion clockwise or counterclockwise, while archaeal flagella are similar to bacterial flagella. Eukaryotic flagella of animal, plant, and protist cells, however, move in a lashing back and forth motion.
The creation model questions the proposed random, gradual, evolutionist explanation for the origin of the flagellum and its various types. The creation model explains that the flagellum is extremely complex and cannot have originated by chance, therefore giving strong evidence for the design of a powerful and capable creator who created this feature at one time during the creation week and did not evolve from simpler form over long periods of time. Creationists explain that the parts of the flagellum are complex and that the flagellum could not function if all of the parts were not present at once.
The flagellum has been described as "irreducibly complex" by Michael Behe, Ph.D and author of Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution and specifically explains that no part of the feature is of use or cannot function without all of the other parts. The flagellum has also been described as an engine or machine used in a factory, except that this machine needs a microscope to be seen. How can something so small be so complex? Only by the power of an Intelligent Designer. If all of the parts of the flagellum are needed at the same time in order to function, the flagellum could not have "evolved" slowly over million of years, but rather must have been created or appeared at once. Most bacteria simply could not survive without the flagellum.
In fact, scientists have determined that at least 30 proteins found in the flagellum motor do not exist in any other biological system, and therefore, how could these parts have "evolved" if they are unique and are not found anywhere else? Another unique feature of the flagellum is that it self-assembles and repairs itself. In addition, the rotary motor of bacterial flagellum can rotate at speeds of tens of thousands of rotations per minute while some have been timed at up to 100,000 rotations per minute. The complexity of the flagellum is incredible and is the testament to the design of a powerful creator. Those who support the gradual evolution explanation for the origin of living systems have a difficult time explaining the origin and design features of the flagellum. Yet, despite the strong evidence of design in living systems, many continue to be fooled by the outdated ideas of a 19th century naturalist named Charles Darwin.
The flagellum is a remarkable structure found in many bacteria, allowing them to swim and navigate their environment. Howard Berg, a renowned biophysicist who made significant contributions to our understanding of bacterial motility. The flagellum is a whip-like appendage that protrudes from the bacterial cell surface. It acts as a propeller, enabling bacteria to move by rotating like a tiny outboard motor. The rotation generates thrust, propelling the bacterium through its surroundings.
In the 1970s, Howard Berg demonstrated that bacterial motility (in some species) results from flagellar rotation. The flagellar motor, a complex nanomachine, drives this rotation. It consists of multiple proteins embedded in the bacterial cell envelope. Berg’s work significantly advanced our mechanistic understanding of flagellar motors.
Cyclic di-GMP and surface sensing: Bacterial cells can switch between free-swimming and sessile (surface-attached) lifestyles. Past research, including studies from Berg’s lab, showed that flagellar motors respond to changes in the external environment.
Berg hypothesized that cyclic di-GMP (a small molecule) might play a role in sensing and signaling pathways, allowing bacteria to adapt to new environments. In a recent study, researchers visualized cyclic di-GMP concentration changes when Escherichia coli cells encountered a solid surface. The increase in cyclic di-GMP upon attachment depended on a functional flagellar motor. Interestingly, individual cell responses varied stochastically, and some were preceded by a spike in internal pH1.
Berg famously described the bacterial flagellum as “the most efficient machine in the universe” due to its precision and complexity. The flagella bidirectional gearshift allows both forward and reverse swimming, akin to a versatile transmission system. Howard Berg’s legacy lives on through his groundbreaking work on flagellar motors. These tiny propellers continue to inspire awe and reveal the intricate machinery within bacterial cells.
mcb.harvard.edu
bible.org
mcb.harvard.edu
link.springer.com