the evolving mind

If biological life in its wildly varied forms on this planet is akin to huge number of constructions made with one Lego set, the basic building block would be proteins. These are truly wonder-molecules.

Over this past summer I read some research of the molecular biology type that highlighted the above fact. Scientists at the University of Texas studied one specific form of protein, one type of block, if you will, and Senior author Sharon Dent had this to say about their findings:

Gcn5 is more like a Swiss Army knife that performs different functions depending on what needs to be done in the cell. [source]

Where the Lego-set-of-life model falls short is when it comes to the plasticity of the pieces. Lego blocks are generally hard, unyielding, non-elastic pieces: many rigid corners and no give.

It seems to me that people with a creationist streak in their thinking tend to view the stuff of life as Lego blocks. And they wonder how the heck those blocks become animated. What sets them into motion? It just doesn’t make sense.

In deluxe Lego sets there are those pieces that are indeed elastic and some with moving elements. Some pieces that can even store energy, like springs and rubber bands. But again, to get the Logo creations moving, the hand of the creator (rather than his/her breath) is needed to get things going, to energize them.

What is the equivalent to the creator’s hand when it comes to the constructions of biological life? What energizes life and sets it moving?

Energizes. The primary “hand” on our planet is sunshine. Solar radiation compresses the springs and winds the elastic bands that directly and indirectly animates the incredibly number of life-forms around us.

Although I do not mean this in a religious way, I can’t help but say, “Praise be to proteins! Praise be to the sun!” For of their essential roles in creation we can be sure.

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