Cells exhibit collective intelligence and problem-solving abilities even without a brain or nervous system. They can sense their environment, make decisions, and coordinate to achieve goals.
Biological systems achieve complex structures and functions through multi-scale competencies, feedback loops, and error correction mechanisms rather than through hardcoded instructions.
There are bioelectrical patterns that act as “set points” that guide cells’ behaviors and determine the final shape and form. Manipulating these patterns can change the outcome.
The genome specifies the “hardware” of cells by determining ion channels and proteins, but it does not fully determine the “software” or behaviors. Cells have a degree of reprogrammability.
Xenobots, organisms made of frog skin cells, exhibit novel behaviors and capabilities not seen in any natural organism. This shows the plasticity and potential of biological systems.
Evolution exploits higher-level interfaces that give access to computation, modularity, and other capabilities.
Regeneration and development involve error correction and goal-directed processes to achieve the correct final form.
The concept of a “set point” suggests that biological systems are goal-directed in a cybernetic sense.
The distinction between hardware and software is useful in understanding how biological systems work. The genome specifies the hardware but not the full range of possible behaviors.
Affect, goals, rewards, and other concepts typically used for brains may also apply at the cellular level.
Cells exhibit collective intelligence and problem-solving abilities even without a brain or nervous system. They can sense their environment, make decisions, and coordinate to achieve goals.
Biological systems achieve complex structures and functions through multi-scale competencies, feedback loops, and error correction mechanisms rather than through hardcoded instructions.
There are bioelectrical patterns that act as “set points” that guide cells’ behaviors and determine the final shape and form. Manipulating these patterns can change the outcome.
The genome specifies the “hardware” of cells by determining ion channels and proteins, but it does not fully determine the “software” or behaviors. Cells have a degree of reprogrammability.
Xenobots, organisms made of frog skin cells, exhibit novel behaviors and capabilities not seen in any natural organism. This shows the plasticity and potential of biological systems.
Evolution exploits higher-level interfaces that give access to computation, modularity, and other capabilities.
Regeneration and development involve error correction and goal-directed processes to achieve the correct final form.
The concept of a “set point” suggests that biological systems are goal-directed in a cybernetic sense.
The distinction between hardware and software is useful in understanding how biological systems work. The genome specifies the hardware but not the full range of possible behaviors.
Affect, goals, rewards, and other concepts typically used for brains may also apply at the cellular level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQa08lXtWDY