Intelligent Design Investigation

Explore the Evidence

Molecular Machines and Integrated Biological Systems  •  12 evidence records
A Visit With Jesus

This investigation draws upon 12 related evidence records. They are grouped below according to the part of the investigation they help us examine. Select any record for a closer look at the observation, scientific background, significance, uncertainties, and its relevance to Intelligent Design.

Molecular Machinery in Living Cells

Molecular Machines

Molecular Machines in the Cell

Cells contain organized molecular systems that perform mechanical and chemical tasks such as rotation, transport, synthesis, movement, and controlled assembly.
Examine this evidence  
Molecular Motor

The Bacterial Flagellum

The bacterial flagellum is an ion-powered rotary molecular machine that enables many bacteria to swim through their environment.
Examine this evidence  
System Assembly

Assembly of the Bacterial Flagellum

The bacterial flagellum is constructed through a highly ordered process in which gene expression and physical assembly are coordinated.
Examine this evidence  

Energy, Transport, and Information

Energy Conversion

ATP Synthase: A Rotary Molecular Motor

ATP synthase is a rotary molecular machine that couples an ion gradient across a membrane to the production of ATP, the principal chemical energy currency of the cell.
Examine this evidence  
Molecular Transport

Kinesin, Dynein, and Intracellular Transport

Cells use molecular motors such as kinesin and dynein to transport cargo along cytoskeletal tracks.
Examine this evidence  
Information Processing

The Ribosome as a Molecular Machine

The ribosome is a large RNA-protein molecular machine that translates nucleotide information into ordered amino-acid sequences.
Examine this evidence  

Maintaining the Cellular System

Protein Quality Control

Protein Folding and Molecular Chaperones

Cells contain molecular chaperones that assist proteins in reaching or maintaining functional three-dimensional structures.
Examine this evidence  
Protein Quality Control

Protein Degradation and the Proteasome

Cells possess regulated systems that identify, unfold, and destroy proteins that are damaged, misfolded, or no longer needed.
Examine this evidence  
Integrated System

Integrated Cellular Systems

Molecular machines do not operate independently. Cellular life depends upon networks in which energy production, information processing, transport, synthesis, regulation, and maintenance support one another.
Examine this evidence  

The Question of Irreducible Complexity

Design Argument

Irreducible Complexity

Irreducible complexity is the proposal that some functional biological systems contain several interacting parts such that removal of a necessary part destroys the system's basic present function.
Examine this evidence  

Evolutionary Pathways and Design

Evolutionary Explanation

Co-option and Evolutionary Pathways

Evolutionary explanations for molecular machines frequently involve co-option: existing components or systems acquire new functions or become incorporated into new functional arrangements.
Examine this evidence  
Design Assessment

Can Molecular Machines Be Built Step by Step?

The central historical question is whether known evolutionary processes can account for the progressive origin of coordinated molecular machines and integrated cellular systems.
Examine this evidence  
  Evidence records distinguish observations from proposed explanations and areas that remain uncertain.