How to Make a "Bananatrode"
Just imagine a scientist going to the supermarket where he picks up a banana, an antenna from a blue crab and a whisker from a catfish. He takes them back to his lab, hooks them together and connects the whole thing to his computer. He calls it a “bananatrode” and uses it to detect chemicals from the human body called dopamine.
While scientists don’t actually do that, the scene is not so far-fetched. The crab antenna can detect tiny traces of amino acids in salt water. You see, crabs find their lunch by sensing and tracing down amino acids in the water. The catfish whisker can detect equally small amounts of amino acids in fresh water and they both can do so extremely quickly. Scientists know that these natural sensors work much faster and are more sensitive than man’s rather cumbersome methods of laboratory analysis. For that reason they are being seriously studied for human medical use. One such application is a glucose sensor for an artificial pancreas. Oh, and the banana? That was for the scientist’s lunch.
It is amazing to consider that while the crab and the catfish are pretty low on the evolutionary ladder yet they have these wonderful abilities not even matched by twenty-first century technology. Surely, this is more reasonably evidence of superb design in the beginning by our Creator.
Psalm 147:5
"Great is our Lord, and of great power; His understanding is infinite."
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, You have filled Your creation with wonderful miracles of design so that men would seek You Who made them all. Preserve me from the pagan sin of putting the creation over You, the Creator. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Ref: Kay Cahill, “Animal Sensors,” OMNI.
Guest (Male): Scientists, who get to play with their food, find out what they're doing and why on today's Creation Moments.
And now, here's our Creation Moments host, Ian Taylor.
Ian Taylor: Just imagine a scientist going to the supermarket where he picks up a banana, an antenna from a blue crab, and a whisker from a catfish. He takes these back to his lab, hooks them together and connects the whole thing to a computer. He calls it a bananatrode, and he uses it to detect chemicals from the human body called dopamine.
While scientists don't actually do that, the scene is not so far-fetched. The crab antenna can detect tiny traces of amino acids in salt water. You see, crabs find their lunch by sensing and tracing down amino acids in the water.
The catfish whisker can detect equally small amounts of amino acids in fresh water, and they both can do so extremely quickly. Scientists know that these natural sensors work much faster and are more sensitive than man's rather cumbersome methods of laboratory analysis.
For that reason, they are being seriously studied for human medical use. One such application is a glucose sensor for an artificial pancreas. Oh, and the banana, that was for the scientist's lunch.
It is amazing to consider that while the crab and the catfish are pretty low on the evolutionary ladder, yet they have these wonderful abilities not even matched by 21st-century technology. Surely, this is more reasonable evidence of superb design in the beginning by our Creator.
Guest (Male): If you'd like to read more about creation science and biblical worldview issues, visit creationmoments.com for weekly blog posts, articles, and answers to frequently asked questions. Or call us toll-free at 1-800-42-BIBLE. That's 1-800-422-4253. And be sure to join us next time for another Creation Moments.
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Read about Richard Wurmbrand, founder of Voice of the Martyrs. He was once a young atheist, yet he regretted that God did not exist, wishing that a heart of love beat somewhere in the universe. When he found that in Jesus Christ, he dared to serve Him even as his homeland sided with the Nazis and then sank into the horrors of post-war Communism.
Featured Offer
Read about Richard Wurmbrand, founder of Voice of the Martyrs. He was once a young atheist, yet he regretted that God did not exist, wishing that a heart of love beat somewhere in the universe. When he found that in Jesus Christ, he dared to serve Him even as his homeland sided with the Nazis and then sank into the horrors of post-war Communism.
About Creation Moments
Founded in 1963, Creation Moments remains committed to building up the Church and enlightening the world to the wonders of God's creation. For more than sixty years, this ministry has proclaimed the truth of biblical creation and provided irrefutable evidence that the Bible can be trusted from the very first verse to the last. In addition to its international creation-evangelism and radio outreach, Creation Moments offers hundreds of free resources on the Bible and science at its website: CreationMoments.com.
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About Ian T. Taylor & Mark W. Cadwallader
Ian T. Taylor
For most people, Ian Taylor will always be the voice of Creation Moments. He was born in the UK and lived in Canada until his passing. We were honored and blessed to have such a wonderful and dedicated creationist as part our ministry for so many years. Even now, his radio broadcast programs endure to reach others with the message about the awesome and intricate creation of an awesome and loving God.
Mark W. Cadwallader
Mark is Board Chairman of Creation Moments and has served on the Board since 1996. He holds a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston and has worked as an applied materials scientist and engineer in plastics, specialty chemicals, oil additives, and pollution control for over 30 years. Mark credits the ministry for opening his faith as a young man to the unerring credibility of the Bible in all areas including science, and thus helping to transform his life. Mark has published over 100 articles and conference papers in his scientific field of expertise as well as in Creation Science and apologetics. He writes the Creation Moments monthly newsletter as well as most of the blog articles posted on the ministry’s website. He has also authored books, including “Creation Spelled Out for Us All” and “The Beauty of Truth”.
Contact Creation Moments with Ian T. Taylor & Mark W. Cadwallader
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