Dual View: Mainstream Science vs. Intelligent Design
Biology is the study of life. Living things arose through naturalistic processes over billions of years. Life emerged from non-living chemicals (abiogenesis) and diversified through evolution.
Biology is the study of Yahuah's living creation. He spoke life into existence, creating distinct "kinds" of organisms. Life comes only from life - ultimately from the Life-Giver Himself.
1. What does the Law of Biogenesis state?
2. List three characteristics of life:
a)
b)
c)
Note: Point 3 supports the Law of Biogenesis - cells don't arise from non-living matter!
| Feature | Prokaryotic | Eukaryotic |
|---|---|---|
| Nucleus | No true nucleus | True nucleus with membrane |
| Size | Smaller (1-10 μm) | Larger (10-100 μm) |
| Organelles | No membrane-bound organelles | Many membrane-bound organelles |
| Examples | Bacteria, Archaea | Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protists |
| DNA | Circular, in cytoplasm | Linear, in nucleus |
Prokaryotes evolved first (~3.5 billion years ago). Eukaryotes evolved later through endosymbiosis - one prokaryote engulfed another, leading to mitochondria and chloroplasts.
Both cell types were created by Yahuah as distinct designs. "Endosymbiosis" is speculation - no one has observed a prokaryote become a eukaryote. Similarities reflect common design, not common descent.
1. What are the three parts of cell theory?
a)
b)
c)
2. Which type of cell has a true nucleus?
The cell membrane is made of phospholipids arranged in two layers:
This creates a selectively permeable barrier - some things can pass, others cannot.
| Type | Energy? | Direction | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passive Diffusion | No | High → Low concentration | Oxygen, CO₂ |
| Osmosis | No | Water movement | Water through membrane |
| Facilitated Diffusion | No | High → Low (with help) | Glucose via channels |
| Active Transport | Yes (ATP) | Low → High concentration | Sodium-potassium pump |
This molecular machine uses ATP energy to pump 3 Na⁺ ions out and 2 K⁺ ions in, maintaining the cell's electrical gradient. It:
This precision machine screams DESIGN!
1. What makes up the cell membrane?
2. Which type of transport requires ATP (energy)?
3. Why does the sodium-potassium pump point to intelligent design?
| Organelle | Function | Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| Nucleus | Contains DNA, controls cell | Brain/Control center |
| Ribosomes | Protein synthesis | Factory workers |
| Endoplasmic Reticulum | Transport, protein processing | Highway system |
| Golgi Apparatus | Package and ship proteins | Post office |
| Mitochondria | ATP production (energy) | Power plant |
| Chloroplasts | Photosynthesis (plants only) | Solar panels |
| Lysosomes | Digestion, waste removal | Recycling center |
| Vacuoles | Storage | Storage tanks |
| Cytoskeleton | Structure, movement | Scaffolding |
Ribosomes are molecular machines that read genetic code and assemble proteins:
Question for evolution: How could the first cell survive without ribosomes? But ribosomes themselves are made by... ribosomes! This is a chicken-and-egg problem that points to creation.
Match the organelle to its function:
1. Mitochondria:
2. Ribosome:
3. Nucleus:
4. Golgi apparatus:
ATP is the "energy currency" of all cells. It stores and transfers energy.
ATP synthase is a rotary molecular motor that produces ATP:
This is a literal molecular machine! How could a turbine engine arise by chance?
1. What does ATP stand for?
2. How is energy released from ATP?
6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
Carbon dioxide + Water + Light energy → Glucose + Oxygen
1. Light-Dependent Reactions (in thylakoid membranes)
2. Calvin Cycle (in stroma)
Chlorophyll precision: Absorbs exact wavelengths of light needed for maximum energy capture
Oxygen byproduct: "Waste" oxygen is essential for animal life - perfect system!
Carbon cycle: Plants use CO₂ animals exhale; animals use O₂ plants release
1. Write the photosynthesis equation:
2. Where do the light-dependent reactions occur?
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP
Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy
Notice: This is the reverse of photosynthesis!
| Stage | Location | ATP Produced |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Glycolysis | Cytoplasm | 2 ATP (net) |
| 2. Krebs Cycle | Mitochondrial matrix | 2 ATP |
| 3. Electron Transport Chain | Inner mitochondrial membrane | ~34 ATP |
Total: ~36-38 ATP per glucose molecule
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration form a perfect cycle:
This interdependent system couldn't have evolved separately - both had to exist from the beginning!
1. Which stage produces the most ATP?
2. How does the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration show design?
Interphase (90% of cycle):
M Phase (Mitosis + Cytokinesis)
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Prophase | Chromosomes condense, nuclear envelope breaks down |
| Metaphase | Chromosomes line up at cell's equator |
| Anaphase | Sister chromatids separate, move to opposite poles |
| Telophase | Nuclear envelopes reform, chromosomes decondense |
Cytokinesis: Cytoplasm divides → two daughter cells
The cell cycle has built-in checkpoints that ensure accuracy:
These quality control systems prevent errors - evidence of intelligent programming!
1. What does PMAT stand for (stages of mitosis)?
P = M = A = T =
2. During which phase does DNA replication occur?
DNA is a four-letter code (A, T, G, C) that contains:
Key insight: All known codes come from intelligence. There is no example of random processes creating coded information. DNA is the most complex code ever discovered!
1. What are the base pairing rules?
A pairs with G pairs with
2. Why does DNA's coded information point to an intelligent Creator?
Result: Two identical DNA molecules (semiconservative)
| Enzyme | Function |
|---|---|
| Helicase | Unwinds and separates DNA strands |
| Primase | Creates RNA primer |
| DNA Polymerase | Adds nucleotides, proofreads |
| Ligase | Joins DNA fragments |
DNA polymerase has a built-in "proofreading" function:
This is like a spell-checker built into a copying machine - evidence of intelligent engineering!
1. What enzyme "unzips" the DNA?
2. What enzyme adds new nucleotides?
DNA → RNA → Protein
1. Transcription (in nucleus)
2. Translation (at ribosome)
61 codons code for 20 amino acids + 3 stop codons
Start codon: AUG (also codes for methionine)
Stop codons: UAA, UAG, UGA
The genetic code is:
Key point: A code requires both an encoder and a decoder. DNA is meaningless without the translation machinery. Both had to exist together from the beginning!
1. Where does transcription occur?
2. What is a codon?
Where does the information in DNA come from?
What mutations do:
What mutations DON'T do:
The complexity and information content of DNA is powerful evidence for intelligent design:
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made" - Romans 1:20
1. Why can't mutations create new genetic information?
2. How does the study of cell biology strengthen your faith in Yahuah as Creator?