The biochemistry of cell adhesion and communication (Introduction)

by dhw, Saturday, December 19, 2015, 12:06 (3261 days ago) @ David Turell

dhw" We all know that cells communicate, and we also know that cells form communities. I don't understand your comment about Shapiro et al. Are you implying they don't realize that communication requires partners, and cells work in communities?-DAVID: My point about Shapiro et al is they work with single-celled animals, not whole animals or whole organs. Shapiro's observations and theories are all based on single-cell studies. He does not look at communities nor comment on communities of cells in his book. I thought I was very clear. Of course he understands how organs and bodies work, but he doesn't discuss the 'intelligence' of kidney cells, or do I know if he would extrapolate his theory into how kidney cells apply intelligence.-Whole animals and whole organs are communities of single cells, and if single cells are intelligent, you don't have to be a genius to work out that cell communities must be intelligent too. HOWEVER, as I have said repeatedly, once an organ has been invented, of course the cells will perform their allotted duties, just as ants do in their community. (Active, inventive intelligence would only be required when new situations arose.) Once more, my hypothesis is an alternative (possibly divine) to your divine 3.8-billion-year old computer programme and/or God's personal intervention for all innovations, lifestyles and natural wonders. I have no idea whether Shapiro has extended his knowledge of bacterial intelligence to his understanding of how evolution works, but since Margulis was also a champion of cellular intelligence and emphasized the importance of cooperation in the history of evolution, I really can't believe I am the first to put the two concepts together.