paleonet A few questions from a biology student

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Dear Paleonetters,
These few questions came to me out of the blue from a biology student in
Turkey. I thought the paleonet might be a good forum to formulate
answers to him.
J. Verniers

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menekse1_asli@xxxxxxxxx

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Dear VERNIERS,

I am a student in the field of biology in Turkey. In our college, we have debates with creationists and there are some points put forth by creationists that I could not find sufficient information to answer explicitly. So I am kindly asking you to refer to your in-depth knowledge of science to guide me answer the below mentioned questions brought up by creationists.

1. A living cell is the most complicated biological structure on earth. Formation of even one of the thousand components of the organisation within the cell by coincidences is impossible. The system that aims to distribute the proteins to sub-cell divisions is an example. It has been discovered that the head section of the proteins that would go to the golgi body and endoplasmic reticulum after being synthesized contains a special amino acid sequence called "signal sequence". When proteins are synthesized, a complex molecular structure called the Signal Recognition Particle (SRP) is integrated into the signal sequence. As a result of this, the protein synthesis stops temporarily. During this pause of the protein synthesis, SRP is connected to the SRP receptor on the cell membrane ensures the continuance of the protein synthesis and allows the entrance of the protein to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). As the protein proceeds into ER, the signal sequence is cut off. This is only an insignificant part of the entire operations. Is the random formation of such a complex system possible? Let's assume that all the molecules mentioned here are formed randomly. ( they say this is also impossible) How can it be possible that this extremely complex organisation among molecules is formed on it's own?
2. All the observed mutations either kill or harm living organisms. For example, countless experiments have been conducted on fruit flies (drosophila) until now and countless mutations have been applied on fruit flies over generations. However, none of them resulted in a man-made evolution. "Monster flies" formed by geneticists could not survive out of the bottle that they had been nurtured. They either died, became disabled or infertile. Legs emerged from their head. Besides, unlike those random mutations in nature, these were conscious and purposeful. But despite this, it has been impossible to form even one single enzyme. Therefore, could the complex body and organs of living organisms be formed as an outcome of mutation-like “accidents” ? How can we explain that mutations can do all these?
3. As a result of mutations, particles forming the genetic information break off, are destructed or moved to different parts of DNA. However, mutations can not contribute the living organisms with a new organ or new characteristics. But it can result in abnormalities such as the emergence of legs from the back or the emergence of the ear from the stomach... Has it ever been observed that mutations have increasing effects over genetic information of living organisms?

I thank you in advance for your valuable comments,

Yours faithfully,

Asli Menekse
menekse1_asli@yahoo.com