The Secrets Of Intelligence Lie Within A Single Cell

The microscopic world of the single, living cell mirrors our own in so many ways: cells are essentially autonomous, sentient and ingenious. In the lives of single cells we can perceive the roots of our own intelligence.

Molecular biology and genetics have driven the biosciences, but have not given us the miraculous new insights we were led to expect. From professional biologists to schoolchildren, people are concentrating on the minutiae of what goes on in the deepest recesses of the cell. For me, however, this misses out on life in the round: it is only when we look at the living cell as a whole organism that wonderful realities emerge that will alter our perception not only of how single cells enact their intricate lives but what we humans truly are.

The problem is that whole-cell biology is not popular. Microscopy is hell-bent on increased resolution and ever higher magnification, as though we could learn more about animal behaviour by putting a bacon sandwich under lenses of increasing power. We know much about what goes on within parts of a cell, but so much less about how whole cells conduct their lives.

Currently, cell biology deals largely with the components within cells, and systems biology with how the components interact. There is nothing to counterbalance this reductionism with a focus on how whole cells behave. Molecular biology and genetics are the wrong sciences to tackle the task.

Let's take a look at some of the evidence for ingenuity and intelligence in cells that is missing from the curriculum. Take the red algae Rhodophyta, in which many species carry out remarkable repairs to damaged cells. Cut a filament of Antithamnion cells so the cell is cut across and the cytoplasm escapes into the surrounding aquatic medium. All that remains are two fragments of empty, disrupted cell wall lying adjacent to, but separate from, each other. Within 24 hours, however, the adjacent cells have made good the damage, the empty cell space has been restored to full activity, and the cell walls meticulously realigned and seamlessly repaired.

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This is some amazing information. Technology, biology, some crazy stuff!
The microscopic world is everywhere around us and it's amazing how our cells make us, us. Sometimes when comparing cells to the individual I feel as if I'm a cell in the universe. Anyway, thought I'd share this.

reply to post by Crossfate


Really some amazing stuff going on microscopically. What amazes me is how molecules of protein will attach themselves together and form long chains within a nucleus of a cell and have all the information to grow anything from a dust mite to an elephant. All this is done with a few nucleotides.

I'm not a biologist or anything like that so forgive me if there's any misunderstandings in my response. A star up for you.

Life is more than simply amazing.


[edit on 27/4/10 by Intelearthling]

reply to post by Crossfate


Here's his new book Sensitive Souls:

www.brianjford.com...

Tons of fascinating biology information. Thanks.

Now you'll have to watch this amazing documentary:

SUPERNATURAL: Unseen powers of animals.

topdocumentaryfilms.com...