Given the fairly well-accepted notion that our cells are made out of smaller, formerly independent units (mitochondria, at least), and that we can point to complete living organisms that don’t have nuclei in their cells, the notion that every part of the cell had to be in place from the beginning is demonstrably wrong.
I don’t think you’ve made your point. Every part of a living cell has to be in sufficient harmony, manage in spite of whatever maladies and dysfunctions it may have, in order for it to exist and procreate, while carrying out its part in the greater environment.
I take it you are familiar with at least the basics of organic chemistry and cellular biology.
As you would be aware, most eukaryotes, cells whose DNA is arranged in chromosomes contained in a nucleus, have mitochondria. There is a single cell creature which is considered to have lost the capacity to form them and others whose mitchondria have a different form. These latter organisms, I would agree demostrate the effects of random genetic mutation - speciation through gene deletion.
To summarize what we are talking about: mitochondria provide the chemical energy to power cellular metabolism. This is their specialized function - the production of of ATP, which is then hydrolysed to ADP, thereby powering cellular metabolism. The Kreb’s Cycle describes the process by which ATP is converted from ADP through what is termed aerobic respiration, utilizing oxygen and producing the by-products of carbon dioxide and water. A description of the superficial aspects of what we know to be involved, the structures and processes, which Google searches will only begin to scratch the surface, would require a rather extensive textbook.
It boggles the mind that there are people who believe that this just happened and was not guided by an organizing influence beyond that which governs basic electrochemical reactions. Since most of my many decades of life has been spent in pursuit of such knowledge, specifically focussed on its practical application, this subject is of great interest to me. It is quite remarkable how from a little here and a little there, it is possible to gain insights, reformulating one’s perspective. In this spirit, I would be interested in hearing how you picture the formation of the first mitochondrium.
It is enlightening, to break down the various elements of statements such as the quote above and enter into the sorts of relationships that exist between material events, what they actually are in themselves and what influences act upon them. While it usually ends up as a revelation of the limitations of our cognitive abilities and knowledge base, with the help of prayer, these sorts of mental exercises can reveal to ourselves how it is that we have come to see the world as we do. We are typically granted a certain humilty having to face our individual and collective limitations.
