The Blood's Journey Through The Veins

In previous chapters we referred to a gigantic network of nerves running right through our bodies. There is another such miraculous network. This consists of blood vessels. Like the network of nerves, blood vessels, too, circulate through the body. They are so long that their total length would be about 100,000 kilometres (62,000 miles) if they were spread over a flat surface. In fact, it is not hard at all to understand that there are blood vessels all around our body. Even a small scrape on any part of our body would start to bleed immediately. This proves that blood circulates all through our body. It is vital that we have blood vessels at every point because, as mentioned in the previous chapter, the nourishment required by the body cells is conveyed through the blood vessels. Oxygen that cells need for proper functioning is also carried to cells by the blood flowing through our veins.

Transportation of the nourishment in the blood vessels may be compared to transporting freight by ship. Prior to shipment, first of all goods are placed upon the ship at the port. Goods should be properly packaged and placed. After all are loaded, the ship sets out and heads for the port of its destination. When it arrives at the port, all packages are unloaded and distributed to the concerned sections. In the blood vessels, nourishment is similarly transported to cells, just as ships transport cargo across the ocean. Oxygen, fats and amino acids flow in the bloodstream in packages and are unloaded at the target cells. This transportation schedule never fails. Proper amounts of required substances are conveyed to relevant cells just on time. Otherwise, for instance, if a cell that needed oxygen received fats instead, this cell would die. It should be noted that even the slightest mistake in this system could result in serious harm. Such mistakes never happen except in unusual cases, however, because none of these came into existence by chance. Allah, the Creator, created this system perfectly for our service.

As blood circulates all through the body, it fulfills many tasks. Now let's have a brief look at these tasks.

TRANSPORTING CARGO

We have already explained that all the kinds of substances that our body needs are conveyed to the concerned organs by blood. In the meantime, blood cells collect waste matters, like carbon dioxide, and make sure that they are discharged from the body. In a way, blood acts like a garbage grinder. Stopping by each of 100 trillion cells again and again throughout the day, it leaves the cells what they require and at the same time collect what is not needed.

Blood, which is merely a fluid, can faultlessly perform a task demanding such attention and responsibility. It knows each of the substances it carries, what it will be used for and to where it should be delivered. For instance, it does not mistakenly convey to a cell the carbon dioxide it has taken from another cell as a waste product. It always supplies cells with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. Blood performs this task with no mistakes or fatigue, because it is a part of the perfect plan that Allah created in the human body. As they unconditionally surrender to the system created by our Lord, all blood cells perform their tasks without making any mistakes.

SOLDIERS IN THE BLOOD

Everyday our bodies struggle against many bacteria, viruses and microbes. Some are prevented from entering the body, while some manage to enter. But there are special defence cells in our bodies to fight against them that are called immune cells. These cells, which are like soldiers fighting against the enemy and protecting our bodies from dangers, move in the bloodstream. Whenever there is an enemy attack, they can reach the related part of the body through the blood vessels and easily fight against the enemy. Immune cells have not learnt their missions on their own. They have known them since they came into being. They start performing their duty and protecting the body the minute a baby born. This is an excellent detail in Allah's creation. Our Lord has taught cells which cannot be seen with the naked eye very important knowledge and placed them at our service.

COMMUNICATION

Blood also serves as a means of communication in the body. There are messengers in the blood taking messages from one part of the body to another. These messengers, known as hormones, transport messages to the relevant organs like a postman delivering mails. Many significant processes, including the growth of the body, thirst, perspiration and control of blood sugar levels are thanks to such precisely delivered messages.