One of the greatest motors ever made was not made by a human being. It is tiny but it is not the world's smallest motor. It is called the flagellum. First we will take a look at some of the basic parts of this motor then we will look at how this is evidence for an intelligent Creator and goes against evolutionism.
Motor Part Specs Include: Some basic parts found in the flagellum is, a regulator that makes sure the motor is built properly, a corkscrew-hairlike appendage that acts like a propeller, drive shaft, universal joint, bushings and bearings, rotor, and a stator. Keep in the forefront of your mind that if any of these parts were missing the flagellum would not function.
The flagellum is found in bacteria. There are three basic types of flagellum: Type A bacteria-single flagellum, one flagellum with the ability to go forward as well as in reverse. Type B bacteria-Flagellum at both ends of the cell, using one flagellum to go one direction and the other flagellum to go the opposite direction. Type C bacteria-many flagella surrounding the cell. "These flagella wrap themselves together in a helical bundle at one end of the cell and rotate in unison to move the cell in one direction. If the cell wants to change direction, the flagella unwrap themselves, move to the opposite end of the cell, reform the bundle, and rotate in a coordinated fashion." 1
Basic Operation: To function completely the flagellum requires over 40 different proteins. Dr. Dudley Eirich tells us that "the electrical power for driving the motor is supplied by the voltage difference developed across the cell (plasma) membrane." 1
In other words the bacterium/flagellum manufactures its own power. The flagellum rotates over 1000 times per second.2
How big is the flagellum? Let's just say that "100,000 million million would fill the volume of a pinhead." 2
Evidence That Bursts Evolutionism's Bubble: Remember what I said above, it is important to remember that if any parts were missing the flagellum would not function. It is impossible for the flagellum to have been evolved because there is no way for it to evolve in stages. The flagellum would have had to appear in its working state, with all its various parts all at once.
Michael Behe in his book "Darwin's Black Box" gives a wonderful example that describes the dilema. If you want to catch a mouse you must have a working mouse trap. It is impossible to catch a mouse by just using the spring or just the platform. In order for it to work you need a platform, a spring, a killing wire, and a safety catch. If any of these are missing the trap will not work. "
The trap is irreducibly complex because each item needs to be in place before it can begin to function as an effect[ive] device to kill mice." 3 Likewise, the flagellum cannot work if you attempt to use just a couple of its parts and not the whole of it. Nor could the flagellum have evolved in stages it could only have been created in its full functioning state. When you look at the complexity there can be no other recourse but to state, "God Created That." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The Amazing Cell- evidence for creation and against evolution by Dr. Dudley Eirich, http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/4192msc1-10-2000.asp
2. The World's Tiniest Motor by Jonathan Sarfati, http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/207.asp
3. Michael Behe's Theistic Evolution by Gregory Koukl http://www.str.org/free/commentaries/evolution/michaelb.htm Recommended reading: Darwin's Black Box by Michael J. Behe, published by Simon & Schuster.1996 NY, New York
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First published in http://www.GodCreatedThat.com Flagellum-One of the Smallest Motors in the World by Steven Dickinson (aka Rock Slatestone)
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