At the cellular level our bodies depend on a delicate balance of ions that is constantly adjusted. Potassium ions, for example, are atoms with one missing electron which are constantly streaming into or out of our cells. These positively charged ions enter and exit the cell via huge protein machines called channels which are imbedded in the cell wall and, like a donut, have a hole in the middle through which the ions flow. What is astonishing is how well these channels work. Not only do they open and close as needed, but they have two seemingly impossible design features. On the one hand they are extremely selective, allowing only a particular type of ion to flow through it. But on the other hand, they allow the chosen ions to flow through incredibly fast. It would seem that high selectivity would come at the cost of a slow transmission rate. But no, potassium channels for instance filter out practically everything but potassium ions, and yet their flow rate is practically at the maximum speed that is physically attainable. Now a recent study has added more information about how potassium channels perform their amazing feats. Read more
27 Replies to “Potassium Channels Even More Clever Than Thought”
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Of tracking channel activity, modulating AMPA receptor function, permeating potassium ions, and the plant response to osmotic stress
doi: 10.1085/jgp.201411317
The firing pattern of any excitable cell depends on the activity of its specific complement of ion channels; thus, modulation of a particular channel type provides a potential mechanism for controlling aberrant activity.
http://jgp.rupress.org/content/144/6/491.full
The entire nervous system is more clever than we think.
Joe @ 3
..Because the Brain nervous system (CNS) is dumb ? 🙂
What is a “brain nervous system”? In what way is the CNS “dumb”?
Wet electricity.
Whereas the electricity that powers our computers comes from the flow of electrons through a conductor and “hates” water, the electricity that runs our bodies is designed for a wet environment and uses pumped ions to help convey differing messages to our command center.
In this environment mere electrons are of little use because they would be easily dispersed. What is needed is something bigger. And as I eluded to in my opening an ion or ions will fit the bill. Well there just happen to be two atoms well suited for ionization- two atoms with 1 outer valence electron.
If we take a look at the Periodic Table, and also a look at the electron shell arrangement (note the sodium diagram on the right and also thepotassium arrangement, we see these atoms are perfect fits for the job of positive ions (as both have only one outer valence electron).
Now we have the ions but we need a way for them to get into and out of the cell-> Ion Channels
10 million to 100 million per second!
However even these, in comparison to electrons, huge ions also get lost in the wet environment. So what is needed are pumps along the way to pump ions in and also out. In the case of our nerve cells, ions go in to start the signal and are pumped out to reset that part of the system so it is ready for the next (or continuing) sensation. See nerve cell.
(Some venoms and poisons effect these pumps (stop them from working) thereby shutting down the nervous system of the inflicted- ie paralysis sets in.)
However our nerves to not touch each other as wires do in an electrical system to make a circuit. Neurons have functional connections called synapses. These can connect neuron to neuron or other types of cells (for example muscle). Between the synapse and the next cell is a gap- the synaptic cleft.
This gap is too large for even ions to traverse. So to make the connection- to send the signal from one cell to the next, neurotransmitters are sent. These flow in one direction. And once the neurotransmitters reach their destination, that cell responds accordingly, and all the neurotransmitters are dismantled and shuttled back to the transmitting site to be refabbed and ready for the next signal. (some do linger a bit longer and then disperse)
This is key because if the neurotransmitters stay docked the receiving cell would remain locked in that sensation. And if any unused neurotransmitters- the synaptic cleft is basically flooded to ensure signal transmission- remain they will just fill in the docking site when the first arrivals are gone. IOW the receiving cell will be locked in that past sensation.
And there are different types of neurotransmitters for different sensations and purposes.
How is this evidence for ID?
The nervous system exhibits planning- it takes planning to get the right ions, ion channels, pumps and neurotransmitters.
Joe @ 6 –
Another BA77 in the making? Where are the verses?
Yes, MT, we all know that you are incapable of reading a post with more than 4 sentences.
Joe @ 8
thanks for the single line answer!
MT must be upset that I included references and valid quotes to support my claims…
Joe @ 10
That reference is more than 4 sentences so I can’t read.
besides potassium, there are other channels:
Sodium entry through endothelial store operated calcium entry channels
DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00063.2014
http://ajpcell.physiology.org/.....00063.2014
innexin channels
DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00246.2014
http://ajpcell.physiology.org/content/307/10/C966
And to think this is all the work of the god whose name is “Sheer Dumb Luck”. Why, even my belief in the God of the Bible is by SDL.
The cell membrane, an impermeable barrier to Darwinian evolution. I love it.
So far removed from “vesicles” it’s not even funny.
Of related note to ‘channels’, here is good video on gradients:
Moreover, in related note to the different types of channels that Dionisio referenced, even photons are ‘channeled’ in photosynthesis. Moreover, photons are ‘channeled’ via ‘non classical’ means at extremely high efficiency:
At the 21:00 minute mark of the following video, Dr Suarez explains why photosynthesis needs a ‘non-local’, beyond space and time, cause to explain its effect:
Of somewhat related interest, ATP synthase, far outclassing man-made machines, is 100% efficient
Verse and Music:
I just can’t wait for keiths to jump in and tell us all about how unguided evolution is a better explanation for the cell membrane.
Or perhaps he thinks the cell membrane just “poofed” into existence at the origin of life, along with the informational system that it happened to enclose.
of interest to ‘channels’, The nuclear pore complex is fascinating since it, somehow, can differentiate between thousands, if not millions, of options to allow only the proper molecules through at the proper time:
MIT biologist relishes the challenge of picking apart the cell’s most complex structure – May 2012
Excerpt: One of the most important structures in a cell is the nuclear pore complex — a tiny yet complicated channel through which information flows in and out of the cell’s nucleus, directing all other cell activity.,,, However, many questions remain unanswered about how the pores are assembled, and how they control so much activity.
“We don’t know how proteins that reside in the nuclear membrane actually get there. We don’t understand how viruses interact with the pore and how they go through. And we don’t understand how such an enormous spectrum of substrates can go through the same pore,” Schwartz says.
http://phys.org/news/2012-05-m.....mplex.html
Nuclear Pore Complex – video –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyhqLpjicZg
@17 bornagain77
but they know that we got it all through the magic formula RV+NS+T=E bingo!
isn’t that neat?
🙂
Dionisio, the Nuclear Pore Complex is something that, by itself, without even knowing the details as to exactly how it accomplishes its monster ‘top down’ sorting task, falsifies Neo-Darwinism.
Although I would still like to know an overview of how all that required information is being processed by it, to it, and/or thru it,,,
Nuclear Pore Complex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO_djGYepE0
Whether it is the Potassium-Ion channel or the Nuclear Pore Complex, anyone who is not wearing blinders would naturally ask why an unguided process creates a highly sophisticated control system for purposes of transport entry and exit.
The NPC maintains an A-List entry to the nucleus. Question is how the doorman knows who is on the A-List?
Blind, unguided forces cannot create sophisticated algorithmic security entrance technology. Technology that performs multiple complex steps of recognition systems for purpose of identifying approved entry status transports or denies entry to suspect rogue transports is not merely the “appearance of design” but the hallmark of design.
The amount of technology present screams design, not merely “appears” to be.
BA77’s entry #17 forces any open-minded person to ask how unguided process work.
Like mudslide running down a mountain. Can it create by blind mechanisms a signal processing and recognition system like NPC?
No single part of NPC, Nucleus, or Transporters sit waiting to work with another part, let alone have advanced knowledge of transport limos with A-List celebrities arriving to enter the big show, if it is truly a blind process.
If we blow up the scale of such an unguided, blind system built upon Darwinist believers faith, it’s like a blind religion.
A rocky analogy of chance hypothesis forming a self-organized gate system…
1) Rocks tumbling down a mountain, along with dead trees, mudslide, and other matter form a gate in the valley below. But not just any gate. A gate recognition system.
2) As a result, a small lake of water forms holding the precious nucleus of life pumping information – Algae-non-Logos
3) Algae-non-Logos nucleus forms systems that need communication outside the gated community for purposes of supply to maintain life and replicate new gated systems
4) The rocks, dead trees, brush, mud, etc., form a recognition system through blind processes that magically appear to be designed, yet are not. The Rock-Mud-Tree Pore Complex(RMTPC) gate work amazingly with yet other unguided magic submarine transports which enter and exist the wet-cell of life
5) The RMTPC recognition system allows only certain types of water and unguided processes out of the lake. Like fish, thru a narrow pass based upon specific identification procedures which arose from blind processes. It just-so happens the fish, the algae-non-logos all work together.
6) The Reverse process or entry to the lake allows blind, unguided fish into the lake by specific fish type. Trout yes, big mouth bass no.
7) This blind process breaks out across all mountain-valleys in separate Forest of Life(was once thought to be a Tree of Life and still being taught as such).
8) Unguided Processors(who believe they were created by unguided processes) conveniently “recognize” this to be the non-logos function or Inconsequentis. Where a gradual random placement of rocks, dead trees, mud and matter all fell happily into place gradually over time in a blind process of natural selection. Where “selection” is blind and unguided.
9) Unguided Processors decide only their blind faith should be taught and forced upon intelligent designers because such a faith in blind processes makes intelligent being smarter
All that is needed for this to work is time.
This is an extreme analogy. Where the inanimate becomes animate, because someone imagines long ago, fish, rocks, mudslides and dead trees form a lake and the algae-non-logos formed. Apart, to blindly come together in a vast network system of interactive, interlocking, recognition signaling architecture.
Another good link to Nuclear Pore Complex research…
Nuclear Pore Complex
The guided, intelligently designed software, hardware and intelligent beings that try to understand supposedly unguided processes…
Rock, Mud, Tree Pore Complex
I missed the part where potassium ions are “more clever than we thought.”
What new information have we found is so clever?
What about this new information is “clever?”
All of it. Which definition of clever are you using?
The only definition I know. And I wouldn’t use the word “clever” to describe the finding in this paper.
AVS, who knows only one definition of clever. AVS, who wouldn’t use the word “clever” to describe the finding in this paper.
Gee. So what.
Just asking a simple question mungy. It’s ok if you can’t answer it.