The Signs In Living Things (part 3)

SHARKS ARE SENSITIVE TO ELECTRICAL CURRENTS

Sharks’ respiratory systems, and the magnetic receptors that enable them to find their way, and ability to swim very rapidly are all miracles of creation. As with all living things, God has created sharks flawlessly. White sharks, that rely heavily on vision to catch their prey, experience no difficulty when swimming off warm coral reef waters. They can easily see their prey.

In cold ocean waters, however, it might be expected that their vision would be impaired by the cold, because chemical reactions slow down under the influence of the cold water. Therefore, the animal’s eyes should not be able to track a fast-moving prey; yet white sharks never encounter such difficulties because their eyes are not cold-blooded like their bodies.

In this species of shark the heat from their body's muscles is directed straight to the eyes. Thus, they can catch the fastest swimming fish and even seals. Yet how do other shark species whose vision is too weak in cold waters to track their prey manage to find food?

The answer to this question introduces us to the perfect creation in sharks.

All living things give off electricity in addition to heat. Those creatures that live on land find it hard to perceive these currents because the air serves as an insulator. But things are different in water.

Water is a natural conductor of electricity, therefore, a living thing capable of perceiving that electricity possesses a very effective sense.

Sharks have this advantage to such an extent that they can perceive all the vibrations, changes in temperature and salinity levels in water, and especially the minute changes in electrical fields produced by moving creatures.

A shark's body contains a large number of gel-filled vesicles. These vesicles are particularly concentrated at the head, from where they extend right through the animal’s body.

Known as the "ampullae of Lorenzini," these magnificent electro-receptors are used by both sharks and rays to find their prey. These organs have a direct opening to the surface through pores in the animal's head and snout. And as electro-receptors, they are exceedingly sensitive. In this way, sharks perceive currents as weak as half a billionth of a volt. This is an extraordinary ability.

Think of the flashlight batteries in your home. If you plant electrodes 2000 miles apart on the ocean floor and power them with a 1.5-volt battery, sharks in between can detect the electric field produced.

What we have seen so far shows that sharks have extraordinarily complex physical systems.

There is evidence, like these features found in sharks, that shows us the sublime knowledge of our Almighty Lord everywhere in the universe. This evidence is a means whereby we can properly appreciate His matchless knowledge, reflect on it and give thanks to Him. God reveals this in the Qur’an:

“Among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and Earth and all the creatures He has spread about in them....”

(Surat ash-Shura, 29)

PS: this is a copy of Harun Yahya’s article (with the title: The Sign of Living Things), available on http://www.harunyahya.com/.