Neuroscience and Bioelectricity

 We have described the reality of digital electrical signals by which our central and peripheral nervous systems communicate with each other. All human body cells possess electrical properties. If this were not true, our bodies would not function. The eleven major body systems would be unable to communicate with each other and regulate conditions in the body. Billions of neurons possess action potentials by which electrical charges are sent to other neurons.

What are action potentials? They are small “spike-like” events—nerve impulses consisting of electrical signals which transmit digital information. These electric impulses are either ‘on’ or ‘off.’ That is why the information is considered digital.

“Action potentials are of great importance to the functioning of the brain since they propagate information in the nervous system to the central nervous system and propagate commands initiated in the central nervous system to the periphery.” (Neuroscience Online, McGovern Medical School.)

Bio-electricity is a flow of electrically charged ions, not a flow of electrons. Ions are formed when an atom gains or loses one or more electrons. A familiar example is the formation of common table salt. An atom of sodium gives an electron to an atom of chlorine. The sodium atom becomes a positive ion and chlorine becomes a negative ion. Proteins provide ion channels through which charged ions move across the cell membrane, carrying their charges with them. This movement may accurately be termed an electric current.

We link several posts from Aug./Sept. 2014 in which we referred to electrical signals flowing through neurons. These posts may be easier to understand than the information presented in the above paragraphs:

http://jasscience.blogspot.com/2014/09/electric-intellect.html

http://jasscience.blogspot.com/2014/09/brain-causes-effects-and-design.html

http://jasscience.blogspot.com/2014/08/an-ear-for-truth.html

http://jasscience.blogspot.com/2014/08/digital-human-hearing.html

How could a storm of digital electrical pulses be converted to a coherent visible image by the human brain and impart conscious awareness of thousands of different shapes and colors in our field of vision? Our field of vision is usually not an experience in still photography. Mostly, our eyes process a plethora of movement moment by moment. Our normal vision consists of uncounted thousands of data points—all in living color!

Charles Darwin confessed that it was “absurd” to propose that the human eye evolved through spontaneous mutation and natural selection. But he never abandoned his  firm belief in evolution. Neither do the majority of 21st century professional biologists reject the evolutionary paradigm. According to Wikipedia, between 770 thousand and 1.7 million neuron fibers from retinal ganglion cell axons send digital electronic signals from the retina to the brain through the optic nerve. The human brain imparts meaning to the digital data. The foregoing sentence  is an example of description, but the statement is short on explanation.

We long for meaningful explanations of human eye/brain function. Scientists are more adept at offering descriptions; less adept at offering explanations. This does not indicate there are no explanations for certain phenomena in the world of our experience. In the world of the scientist, however, many are fascinated by the process of discovery. 

The miracle of human vision does not yield to easy explanations. In personal research dealing with human vision, we frequently encounter statements such as “…scientists don’t fully understand how our brains do it” or “…(retinal) neurons that encode objects respond in complicated ways.” 

Our blog posts credit the power of the Ultimate Designer/Creator. He is the Author of the laws of nature. But He is also the God of Creation.   

    

Body Systems Analysis

Of all eleven human body systems, the nervous system is known as the control and communicating system for all other body systems. The study of biology consists of eleven major systems, integrated to produce a highly functional human body. We list eleven recognized systems: (1) circulatory, (2) digestive, (3) endocrine, (4) integumentary (skin), (5) lymphatic, (6) muscular, (7) nervous, (8) reproductive, (9) respiratory, (10) skeletal, and (11) urinary (excretory).

Our past post—Systems Integration, linked below—discusses both human body systems and other physical systems surrounding us. Our current post serves as an introduction to a more detailed treatment of only one body system—the nervous system.

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2017/02/system-integration.html

The systems of the human body are finely tuned to function effectively not only individually, but as an integrated unit. At any one moment, the expression “feeling well” describes the optimal functionality of all body systems working together. Many people tend to focus on temporary malfunctions of even one body system. For instance, the common cold is an infection in the respiratory system; a skin rash is a problem with the integumentary system; an upset stomach is a disturbance in the digestive system; a UTI results from germs attacking the urinary system; muscle soreness is a dysfunction of the muscular system; an upset stomach is an imbalance in the digestive system.

We wonder why humans do not suffer continual discomfort when so many body systems potentially could go awry. The simple answer is that Our Creator has designed body systems to cope with minor (and sometimes major) physical symptoms produced by stress and disease. But God also gifted humanity with ability to treat stress and disease and maintain health with prudent diet and personal habits as well as modern medical interventions such as therapy and surgery. In our times, Our Creator has bestowed technological, agricultural and medical gifts to humanity in order to support a burgeoning human population of over eight billion.

In our opening paragraph, we highlighted the human nervous system which integrates all other body systems. We enlarge upon this concept with a discussion of the nervous system and its two main divisions—the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system is composed primarily of the brain and spinal column. It is difficult to avoid awareness of our peripheral nervous system. Our muscular system, our circulatory system, our skin (integumentary system), and our skeleton are a few examples.

Integrally related to the nervous system is one of the four fundamental forces as defined by physical scientists. It is the electromagnetic force. How is the nervous system related to the electromagnetic force? 

For reference, we link  http://jasscience.blogspot.com/2023/09/creator-of-forces.html

Billions of nervous system cells called neurons use electricity to transmit information and regulate the human body. The body’s ‘electricity’ is used for communication and control of the eleven integrated human body systems. There is an electrical dimension to all matter.

Neurons are among the most fascinating body cells. A typical neuron is composed of a cell body possessing many characteristics of other human body cells. In addition, neurons have dendrites protruding from the cell body. They resemble tree branches or roots. The branching dendrites sense chemical or physical conditions in our bodies, as well as light, sound, heat, odor, and taste in our environment. The dendrites transmit messages in the form of digital electrical signals to the cell body and into the axon, a long, thin appendage of the cell body. Digital electrical signals reinforce other digital signals from other neurons. Ultimately, the digital signals arrive at the human brain, part of central nervous system.

In review, the peripheral nervous system primarily senses conditions in our environment and sends this information to the central nervous system. Many brain centers receive the digital information and ‘figure out’ its meaning. Conscious humans respond appropriately.  Scientists have identified many brain locations where complex physical phenomena are integrated. The nervous system integrates ten other body systems, each of which possesses its own intricate beauty.

In Psalm 139:14 King David, in the pre-scientific age, composed a prescient passage of scripture. Prescient relates to knowing in advance. In our modern day we have discovered details of all human body systems.            

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV).

       

 

 

 

Chemical Elements: Coherently Created

 We begin this post with a short and incomplete chemistry primer. When readers recapture memories from their secondary school chemistry courses, one of their first memories relates to the definition of an element. Chemical elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, iron, or gold are naturally occurring chemical elements in our physical universe. They cannot be broken down or separated into simpler substances. Water is not an element because it can be separated into the elements hydrogen and oxygen. Therefore, water is a chemical compound.

 Another early memory from our initial course in chemistry concerns atoms— tiny, basic units of elements. We could not describe elements without stating that elements are composed of atoms. We understand that atoms are incredibly tiny. There may be three trillion atoms in a minuscule speck of dust. 

Elements and atoms which compose elements possess a “coherent order.” This phrase is meaningful in our English language. It means systematic or logical and often refers to operation of a device serving a specific purpose. Each component of an element serves a purpose such as behaviors of atoms in any chemical reaction.

How many different substances exist on our planet? Almost 100 elements exist in nature, but many substances are compounds—chemical combinations of elements. New substances are formed when elements or compounds chemically combine. Other substances are mixtures in which the components are not chemically combined. The substances are merely mixed together in the same container. Raisin Bran serves as an example; raisins are mixed with bran flakes, but no new substances are formed.         

Six hundred thousand inorganic compounds and 16 million organic compounds are known to exist. Organic compounds are chemical combinations of elements carbon and hydrogen included as components of their molecules. (When compounds are formed an element’s electrons are shared with or donated to another element to produce a chemical combination.) Carbon is the main element in organic compounds and is essential for life on Earth. Without carbon, life as we know it could not exist. 

Chemical compounds exist because elements have been created in a “coherent order.” This allows the production of millions of compounds. Elements are assigned an atomic number. Here are the atomic numbers of a few important elements: Hydrogen-1, Carbon-6, Nitrogen-7, oxygen-8, aluminum-13, iron-26, gold-79. The     atomic number not only identifies the element, but also tells how many protons are possessed by that element. Oxygen has eight protons and eight neutrons. Elements generally have a similar number of neutrons and protons—sometimes a few more neutrons.

No additional elements exist in nature other than those already discovered and described. Neutrons, particles with no electrical charge, contribute binding energy to prevent positively charged protons in the atomic nucleus from chaotically flying off into space. (Like electrical charges repel.) The strong nuclear force is an intelligently designed feature provided by the Creator of forces.

 

We could not close our short chemistry primer without reminding readers about atomic number and atomic mass. We referenced atomic number in the above paragraphs. Atomic mass tells us the total number of an element’s protons plus the number of the element’s neutrons. Oxygen has an atomic mass of 16, roughly calculated by adding the number of protons (8) to the number of neutrons (8) in the nucleus of an oxygen atom. 

During my personal career as teacher of physical science and earth science, I found it easy to connect the wonders of our curricular science subject matter to my belief in the existence of God, the Creator of All Things. A good example is the subject of chemical elements from today’s blog topic. I cannot, rationally, believe that the coherent order of the periodic table, as it relates to the reality of the Creator’s actions, points to anything other than the existence of a rational, coherent MIND and a Divine Creator who created our present world. In other words, I subscribe to the creativity of God, the Creator of All Things. We need an observant and analytical mind to discover the truths relating to the Creator.    

         

Observers of Forces

 The four fundamental forces discussed in our last post were described by scientists only in the last several hundred years. These forces (strong nuclear, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and gravitation) govern everything that occurs in our everyday experience. The importance of the fundamental forces of nature had not been recognized by scientists in the days before the “scientific age” which commenced approximately 1600 AD.

As we look for evidence of the existence of God as the Creator of our cosmos we cannot fail to encounter the four fundamental forces in science literature and experience them with our senses. Our lives are totally immersed in them. The human sensory system ordinarily includes the familiar five senses: sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch. Some scientists include less familiar bodily senses such as balance, muscle awareness, temperature, hunger, thirst, and pain. Not only do these forces exist, but we are able to sense them. 

 

Knowledge of science supplies multiple opportunities for humanity to observe the power of our Creator. Our experience in the scientific age affords us insights unheard of in the centuries prior to the scientific age. God created the forces which objectively act on matter to produce an organized, coherent environment. God also endows humanity with sensory abilities to make subjective judgments concerning the orderliness of the universe, its intelligently designed features, and the characteristics of the Intelligent Designer/Creator.

 

Forces are most simply defined as pushes or pulls when matter interacts with other matter. We are not ordinarily aware of the push or pull forces holding protons together with other protons or neutrons in the nuclei of uncounted trillions of atoms composing matter surrounding us each moment of our lives. Those interested in a more esoteric treatment of forces could research contact forces such as friction and non-contact forces such as gravity and magnetism.

 

Humanity is awash in electromagnetic forces upon which our society depends for ordinary work, entertainment, and communication. What would we do without cell phones, computers, electric vacuums, toasters and a multitude of other electric appliances in our home? The spectrum of electromagnetic radiation energizes modern society. Discoveries related to electromagnetism began in the 19^th century. My grandparents lived during a significant segment of that century before the invention of radios and telephones. Nevertheless, they were intrinsically aware of the four fundamental forces and their ability to perceive them with their bodily senses.

 

“As we observe the wonder of our surroundings, we focus on its beauty at different levels. Perhaps we ponder the aesthetic beauty of the great outdoors. The wonders of the beach, mountains, and sky grip our senses. At deeper levels we observe the interactions of matter, forces, and energy and how their interactions impinge upon us. Life scientists help us focus on the wonders of living inhabitants within our physical creation. They describe living things according to their physical and behavioral characteristics. The behavior of matter and living things lends itself to empirical studies--careful observation, description, and analysis, the starting points of our worship experience.” (Reprinted from our blog of 7/15/2013: Worship Stimulants)

 

 

 

                               

Creator of Forces

 A sizable fraction of citizens would agree: The world in which we live was created by God. Consciously or unconsciously, when we observe our world we observe evidence of the Creator’s work each moment of our lives. God fine-tuned the parameters of the physical universe when He created the heavens and the earth in the beginning (Genesis 1:1).

One of the foremost discoveries of modern scientists is the existence of four fundamental forces. In one way or another these four fundamental forces relate to virtually everything we observe and experience each moment of our lives. YouTube science commentator Arvin Ash listed a few everyday activities pervaded by one or more of these forces—the sun shining, brain activity, water evaporating, every process…every chemical reaction, every movement, every thought. Other scientists propose similar lists.  

Scientists identify four fundamental forces of nature:

 

STRONG NUCLEAR FORCE 

When we observe any type of matter, scientists realize if the strong nuclear force were not acting, the matter would chaotically disintegrate. In reality, atoms and the particles that compose atoms—protons and neutrons—are held together in the nucleus of the atom by the strong nuclear force, over 100 times stronger than the next strongest force, but acting only over incredibly small distances. We could say particles within atoms cohere. They hold together by the strong nuclear force.   

The Apostle Paul penned the New Testament epistle to the Colossians. A familiar New Testament passage (Colossians 1:16-17) states: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Casual readers of scripture may wish to state that the New Testament author is proposing a scientific truth in a pre-scientific age. Bible commentators have speculated on these possibilities. They are known as “concordists.”

Before discussing the other three fundamental forces, we refer to our visual perception of every phenomenon in our world. These perceptions would be non-existent in a world where atomic particles did not cohere (hold together). In addition, the elements and compounds in DNA would not exist. Life would be impossible without the strong nuclear force.

ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE

Surrounding an electric current is an electric field. Surrounding a magnet is a magnetic field. Scientists in the 19th century discovered that these two forces are related. They work together to generate an electromagnetic force, about 100 times weaker than the strong nuclear force. Together they generate various electromagnetic “waves” which supply our societies with many types of communication and information transmission. We could not see or otherwise communicate by radio, television, internet or other media capabilities without electromagnetic forces. Heat travels through space from the sun by infrared waves. They spread out, and their range is infinite.

Various waves (photons—energy packets) of electromagnetic force occur in infinite frequencies and wavelengths. Electromagnetic forces such as visible light enable us to observe the shapes and colors of surrounding objects and perceive the reality and beauty of our environment. We worship Our Creator for His infinite wisdom.

WEAK NUCLEAR FORCE   

This force is several million times weaker than the strong nuclear force. It relates to radioactivity and acts over short distances. The weak nuclear force changes a neutron to a proton in a process called beta decay. Hydrogen is fused into helium. Large quantities of energy are released. The weak nuclear force is present within our sun.      Without the weak nuclear force our universe as we know it could not exist.

GRAVITATIONAL FORCE 

Gravitational force is trillions of times weaker than the strong nuclear force and It acts over infinite distances. Gravitation is an attractive force. Objects with mass attract other objects with mass. The force of gravity is perceived by young children learning to walk. Children soon learn to orient their bodies in response to gravitation. All objects are attracted to our planet by gravity. The Earth continues in its predictable orbit around our life-giving sun. Gravity also holds Earth’s atmosphere close to the planet surface to the obvious benefit of air breathing life.

Scientists first began to think seriously about universal forces several centuries ago. Strong and weak nuclear forces were described only in the last 100 years. We link one of our 2008 blog posts. The post discusses an early theological insight (possibly also a scientific insight) discussed by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament book of Colossians:

http://jasscience.blogspot.com/2008/08/all-things-hold-together.html

 

    

   

Hawaiian Wildfires - 2023

 In the past week we have been horrified by the pathetic destruction resulting from Hawaiian wildfires. Some citizens are quick to credit climate change as the cause for specific weather disasters on our planet. Our people are focused on discovering causes and effects for natural phenomena such as weather and climate as well as causes and effects for topics along a broad range of total human experience.

The Hawaiian fire is likely the greatest natural disaster ever to strike our 50th state. The governor  stated global warming was likely to blame. Global warming has been supplanted by climate change in our meteorological lexicon. Climate change is blamed for many inconvenient, harmful, or disastrous weather events on Planet Earth. Several commentators have dubbed the Maui fires a “compound disaster”—a textbook case of many different agents acting together. Sudden and intense flash drought, high winds generated by a hurricane hundreds of miles away, low humidity, higher than normal temperatures, and replacement of native Hawaiian plants with highly combustible invasive lawn grass species spreading across large areas, all contributed to a weather disaster of apocalyptic proportions.

The well-known El Nino climate phenomenon may have been indirectly responsible for this weather disaster in Hawaii. El Nino is a planetary condition causing periodic changes in surface trade winds’ speed and direction. It randomly occurs every few years. Their frequency is from two to seven years. El Nino events have great significance with respect to weather events around the world. This results in warmer ocean water in some places and upwelling cooler water at other locations. Ocean life is altered considerably. Likewise, anomalous droughts, temperatures, and other atmospheric conditions are generated in distant places around the planet. So far in 2023, many weather disasters have occurred related to El Nino.

How was El Nino indirectly responsible for making the Hawaiian wildfires worse? In El Nino years hurricanes in the Pacific are stronger, while those generated in the Atlantic are weaker. Even though Hurricane Dora was hundreds of miles south of Hawaii, the atmospheric pressure gradient resulted in intensely strong winds—gusts up to 120 mph. Strong winds blew burning embers on Maui at “a mile per minute.” This factor was likely the most important in producing the “compound disaster” of the Hawaiian wildfires. Add a little low humidity, high temperatures, and drought to the dry invasive lawn grasses, and the Hawaiian wildfire disaster results.

A memorable personal event comes to mind from 1982. My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in that year. My cousin bestowed an anniversary gift to his aunt and uncle. The cousin resided in Alaska, but his 50th anniversary gift to his aunt and uncle was a trip to Alaska combined with a vacation in Hawaii. 1982 was the beginning of a very strong El Nino event. At the conclusion of their Hawaiian vacation they were preparing to fly home, but the flight was delayed on the Hawaiian runway by high winds. My parents waited on the airliner, buffeted by strong winds of Hurricane Iwa, the strongest hurricane ever to strike Hawaii. A Wikipedia article details the harrowing outcomes of Hawaiian hurricane Iwa. By God’s grace, they were soon able to fly home to New Jersey.

Planet Earth’s weather systems are the product of Our Creator’s intelligent design. Earth’s complex climate system, including the El Nino phenomenon, sustains the well-being of over eight billion planetary residents. We have taken the position in past blogs that Earth is a place to thrive rather than a place of brokenness and despair. We encourage our readers to view weather disasters in the context of Planet Earth’s “population explosion” from one billion in 1800 to eight billion in 2023. 

How do our world’s agriculturalists manage to provide food for today’s teeming billions? Is it surprising that there is an increasing number of weather and climate events generating disastrous events affecting many more billions of people? We grieve at all weather disasters taking human lives, but are aware of precautions humanity must take to avoid them.

“Activists constantly talk about the existential threat climate change poses and the deaths natural disasters inflict—but they never quite manage to total up these deaths. One reason is that it’s easier to bend the data about disaster frequency than to bend death statistics. Death tolls tell a very clear story: People are safer from climate-related disasters than ever before.”  (WSJ opinion article, 2021)

We link a past post which elaborates on planetary fires. The article deals with topics discussed in our current post in greater detail:

https://jashow.org/articles/wildfires-a-planetary-feature/

    

   

       

The Creator of All Things

 Theologians often use the term The Creator of All Things in reference to God. This term enriches our understanding of the Supreme Being. It includes His creation of the dimensions of time, space, energy, and matter. These dimensions originated “In The Beginning.” The creation and relationship of these four dimensions is an inscrutable truth. 

God created ALL things—physical things, as well as the four dimensions mentioned above. He created ALL things for the enjoyment of humanity. I Timothy 6:17 counsels us, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Our Creator has bestowed the gift of music on humanity. God created musical geniuses from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th century eras. God created humanity with musical aptitude and talent. We could even say He created music, art, and sculpture for our enjoyment. Likewise, we credit God with creating tech talents for humanity.   

Throughout the history of music, talented musicians have produced inspiring compositions. Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) composed numerous works in various  musical styles including two oratorios. The better known oratorio is The Creation, composed about 1800. This is a lengthy musical work for choir, soloists, and instrumental ensembles. It is one of the great masterpieces of Haydn’s choral/orchestral repertoire.

This musical masterpiece focuses on God’s creation, described in the first few chapters in Genesis. The oratorio deals with (I) the creation of Earth’s physical features from the original “water world” and the creation of plant life, (II) the creation of animal life, and (III) the creation of Adam and Eve. It features arias, recitatives, and choral selections. 

•        *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

We recall personal family events from the post World War II years of 1947-1952. The small religious denomination to which our family belonged sponsored family summer camps in various states. The camps afforded opportunities for expanded ministry sometimes unavailable in their home churches. One treasured camp yearbook produced by church members in 1949 relates the following incident from one of the church camps. We reprint an excerpt verbatim from my personal tribute ‘letter to the editor’ published in our local northwest Illinois newspaper in 2017:

“My personal recollections of Bob Michel extend to the days shortly after he returned from his heroic military service in World War II. His Peoria (IL) family were members of the Apostolic Christian Church denomination. Following World War II the church leadership sponsored national summertime family camps in various states. I remember three camps from 1947-1949 where Bob, a young man in his mid-20s, was enlisted by camp leaders for his marvelous musical talent. He directed the 100-voice camp choir. As a pre-teen from New York State I especially remember the 1948 and 1949 gatherings where Bob displayed his talent as a baritone-bass soloist and in a few short days helped the choir produce classic choral anthems at a high performance level.

Quoting from the now-yellowing 1949 camp yearbook entry from Aug.1: ‘Our hard-working friend, Bob Michel, loses no time in getting the camp choir started. With zest he attacks the toughest wrinkles in rhythm and harmony, correcting our blunders good-naturedly.’ A later entry in that yearbook from Aug. 7 states, ‘As the audience sits very quietly in expectation, the choir continues its program under the direction of Bob Michel with his wife, Corrine, at the piano…The choir sings the following selections: Exaltation, Hallelujah Amen, Pilgrims Chorus, O Lord Most Holy, The Creation (The Heavens Are Telling), and Great and Glorious. These are challenging anthems for any choir to master, not to mention summer choristers assembling at church camp for just a few days.’

I recall entering the camp auditorium and listening to Bob Michel’s summer camp choir singing The Heavens Are Telling in 1948 or 1949 as a selection at their closing concert. The memory of that experience has remained with me for many decades. The text of that choral selection Follows:

     The Heavens are telling the glory of God, 

     The wonder of His work displays the firmament.

     In all the lands resounds the word,

     Never unperceived, Ever understood…..

Robert H. Michel (1923-2017) served in the US House of Representatives for 38 years, serving as Republican Minority Leader from 1981-1995. He has been described as “a politician for the ages.” When he was a young man, he offered glory to God and called attention to the act of divine creation with his music at summer church camps.