So, this week I read an awesome, stimulating book "Intelligence in Nature" by Jeremy Narby. All about the capacity of intelligence among animals and other life and what 'intelligence' actually is.
In the English language there are a few terms for mental capacity. Intelligence is used most commonly, followed by smart or smartness. Intelligence has different definitions - Webster says that intelligence is "the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new and trying situations, the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria" So, I assess, that intelligence is the capacity to store information for future use; use the information to analyze and decide; and to make self beneficial changes in the environment. This is only one version of a definition for a word, of course. The English word 'intelligence', comes from the Latin word 'intellegere' (to understand.) Intelligence has evolved to mean far more than understanding. Now its the ability to reason and think abstractedly and even complex computation (and a list of other attributes depending upon belief and specialities and opinion) Smart on the other hand, is more related to the ability to assess and decide.
I learned that the Japanese version of intelligence is 'chi-sei' meaning simply 'to know'. This is a far easier definition to work with, I think. It implies knowledge or information storage and the ability to use it. I'm getting to slime mold, I promise. So, though many disagree on the qualifications for intelligence, far fewer argue that intelligence exists without a brain.
Dictyostelium does not have a brain. It is so simply, or not so simply, a combination of single cells working together as one entity. This entity can move and maneuver and eat. The cells only become 'slime mold' when triggered by starvation as a survival (common good) solution to the problem. The cells in distress begin to release Cyclic adenosine mosophosphate (cAMP) which triggers other cells to either do the same (to increase the signal) or to join the cells already doing so. Eventually thousands do so and turn into a 'slug' that can begin moving and collecting food.
Presumably as the result of enough connective cells and abundant food, the 'slug' turns into a 'fruiting body' as part of its life stage. It elevates itself on a cellulose base and holds up a 'pod' that upon fruiting will burst open, releasing newly formed single cells, to go about the world with their little single celled goals.
Check out this amazing video!!
KAS
Hi KAS, I remember blogging when I discovered these a couple of years ago - they are quite fascinating, I'd agree.
ReplyDeleteAlan Rayner is a mycologist I have corresponded with, and he uses these examples to illustrate to people that adaptive / emergent behaviour that most would see as "Darwinian" evolution is something much more creative than simple competitive survival.