![Top, Helicobacter pylori bacteria use filaments called flagella for locomotion. At …[Credits : SPL / Photo Researchers, Inc.]](http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/29/98329-004-EE5B7CC4.jpg)
![Top, Helicobacter pylori bacteria use filaments called flagella for locomotion. At …[Credits : SPL / Photo Researchers, Inc.]](http://media-3.web.britannica.com/eb-media/28/98328-004-5514AFAC.jpg)
![Top, Helicobacter pylori bacteria use filaments called flagella for locomotion. At …[Credits : SPL / Photo Researchers, Inc.]](http://media-1.web.britannica.com/eb-media/33/98333-004-3D360A30.jpg)
Top, Helicobacter pylori bacteria use filaments called flagella for locomotion. At the base of each flagellum is a complex structure of proteins that acts like a motor to make the filament rotate. Middle, protein fibres called fibrin trap red blood cells. When a wound occurs, a complex series of molecular reactions, including fibrin formation, causes blood to clot. According to intelligent design, such biochemical systems are irreducibly complex—like the mousetrap (bottom), they could not perform their function if they were missing any of their parts.
We welcome your comments. Any revisions or updates suggested for this article will be reviewed by our editorial staff. Contact us here.
Regular users of Britannica may notice that this comments feature is less robust than in the past. This is only temporary, while we make the transition to a dramatically new and richer site. The functionality of the system will be restored soon.