The Golden Orb Weaver Spider
We have discussed the design of spider webs previously in this
column, but new discoveries about things that happen in nature come out on
a regular basis, and some of them are so incredible that they are hard to
believe. The complexity of the web production of the golden orb weaver is
so incredible that to attempt to explain it by chance borders on irrationality.
Recent studies of this spider have revealed that the spider has six glands
that produce six different protein solutions. As the solutions are secreted,
they are used to produce six different kinds of silk. One kind of silk is
used by the spider solely for the wrapping of eggs. The web is elastic enough
to handle all the things the eggs do, yet it is able to be eaten or breaks
down quickly after use so as not to impair or restrict the baby spiders.
A second kind of silk made of a different protein is used to secure prey
once the prey is caught. This web material has very little elasticity, so
the prey cannot get outside help or brace itself in another structure to
put undue force on the restraining web. Three of the silk materials are
used to actually build the spider's web. These have different elasticities
for different situations--lots of stretch for big areas where large prey
might be caught and would get away if not given a chance to thrash and wear
itself out. Smaller elasticities for use in smaller areas where escape might
happen if the animal could pull far away from the web location. All of these
web materials are very strong and somewhat sticky to the touch.
The sixth protein is called "dragline silk." This material is used by the
spider to hang with. When you see a spider hanging outside of its web on
a piece of silk, the materials are being used in a different way than normal
web material. In the case of the golden orb weaver, the dragline silk is
used to suspend the spider. The strength of this material is incredible.
It is five times as strong as the kevlar that is currently used in bullet
proof vests. It is as elastic as nylon. A piece the size of a pencil could
stop the momentum of a fighter jet stopping on an aircraft carrier. Scientists
are still struggling to understand the chemistry of this amazing material
that is elastic, non-sticky, and incredibly strong.
An atheist is forced by his faith to maintain that the development of these
six glands and the chemistry that their secretions produce is totally a matter
of chance. We could suggest that such a position defies the knowledge that
man has about chemical materials, their storage, and the combination and
recycling abilities. God has built an incredible design system into the
spider to give it the ability to live and help control the insect population
of the earth. Spiders may not be our favorite animal, but they are incredibly
designed living things that speaks eloquently of their creator.
--Reference: Smithsonian, July 2002, pages 78-84.
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Does God Exist?, MarApr03.