The Phenomenal Lung

Introduction

The question presents itself: why do we need to breathe? We are well aware that breathing comes easily to each of us, both awake and asleep! Of course, there is a sudden alarm when we can’t breathe, as our life depends on it. Why is that?

Our body is a highly complicated machine that requires a considerable amount of energy to maintain and repair itself. We need energy to conduct daily activities such as walking, talking, thinking, climbing, sitting, and breathing. Where does this energy come from?

fig 6

The Impressive Pancreas

Routine conversations among individuals often include health issues such as weight loss, smoking, alcohol, and blood pressure to name a few. Seldom do we discuss the function or importance of the human pancreas. Most individuals are familiar with organs such as heart, lung, kidneys, brain, etc., but the pancreas is a mystery to many. Disorders of the pancreas can give rise to well-known conditions such as diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, severe inflammation of the abdomen, and life-threatening malignancies. For example, failure of the pancreas to secrete sufficient insulin into the blood stream causes diabetes mellitus.

Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas

Debate on Abiogenesis: Dr. James Tour versus Dave Farina: Part 1 – The Formation of Peptides

Abiogenesis, the idea that life sprang from unguided chemistry, continues to be a central topic in the creation/evolution debate. On May 19, 2023, Dr. James Tour, a Messianic Jew, organic chemistry professor at Rice University, and well-known associate of intelligent design advocates, debated Mr. Dave Farina, aka “Professor Dave,” on the question of the origin of life (Fig. 1). 1

Peptides of lysine

The Amazing Parathyroid Gland: Small but Mighty!

Most individuals are familiar with the major organs of the human body such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. However, fewer people are knowledgeable about the smaller organs such as the pituitary gland, the adrenal glands, the lymph nodes, or the parathyroid glands, even though their functions are still vital for life. This article examines the tiny parathyroid glands and their physiologic role and importance to our bodies.

Neck anatomy

Insects: Musings on the Monarch, It’s Migration, and Butterfly Metamorphosis

Insects are amazing! The monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus L., is featured in this article; however, there are thousands of other species with intriguing lifestyles. The European honey bee, Apis Mellifera L., for example lives in colonies with up to 60,000 nest mates— nearly all are sisters of one mother (the queen). After a young bee completes her duties as a “nurse” bee in caring for the immature “brood,” she takes flight in search of nectar-rich flowers as far as three miles from the hive. Upon her return, the location (flight path) and richness of her find is “communicated” to other foraging bees by way of a unique dance on the surface of the honeycomb.

Butterfly development cycle

Book Review: Miracle of the Cell by Michael Denton


Neuron cell

Animal cell (neuron)

Miracle of the Cell (Discovery Institute Press, 2020) 1 is the most recent in a series of books on evolution and intelligent design by Michael Denton.2 ,3 ,4 Denton is best known for his books Evolution: A Theory in Crisis and Nature’s Destiny. Denton holds a PhD in biochemistry and is also a medical doctor. He grew up in England but has also lived and worked in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. He is a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture. Many of the leading proponents of the intelligent design movement, including Michael Behe and Philip Johnson, have said Denton inspired their work.