If you want to have your mind blown even more, remember that all of these molecules are compressed in a super tight space (not a lot of space around them). Here is what a small bacteria would actually look like (artist rendition of course)
I watched the version with narration (https://vimeo.com/260291607/5bcaf19961), and was impressed by how many distinct mechanisms are at work here, different molecules specialized for taking advantage of and working with different parts of the (host) human cell. All of this in a structure measured in nanometers, that evolved via randomness and selection for survival.
- ATP molecules are floating around the cell like little rechargeable batteries. Any portions of these operations that require chemical energy to be input not only need to have the structural features required to support the reaction, they also need to have the structures required to allow ATP to power that reaction.
- How sensitive the body is to various compounds. For example, vitamin D is all the rage these days. In a typical adult, there are clinically relevant distinctions between a dose of 10 micrograms and 50 micrograms. For a 100kg person that's one part in a billion.
- I just learned today that the polar nature of water causes it to differentially conform to various charge domains in the surface topology of proteins and that this provides essential functions for their operation - https://www.pnas.org/content/116/39/19274
Looks like there are probably more as well. This is amazing and ultra creepy at the same time.
Edit: There is so much detail in this video that is missed by the narration. For example, if you watch after the ‘budding’ of the replicated viral envelope, there is an enzyme that disassembles the polymerized teal dome that assisted with the fission of the membrane.
I did a little looking and haven’t found what it is. The teal protein is called ESCRT-III, tons of papers on its analysis and behaviors. Here’s one if you don’t feel like googling.
I feel like I have seen a movie like Inception—-well coordinated plan of attack is executed. Those attacks and defenses are occurring in our bodies. Why have we evolved to be unconscious of this battle? If we were conscious of our bodies being attacked, we could deliver more intelligent strategies.
https://cdn.rcsb.org/pdb101/goodsell/png-800/mycoplasma-myco...