Biological complexity: teaching bacteria new tricks (Introduction)

by David Turell , Wednesday, April 27, 2016, 15:00 (3132 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: Regardless of the meaning of “behaviour”, perhaps you could briefly explain how manipulating the genome to enable a bacterium to swim (an athletic activity) strongly supports your contention that ALL bacterial behaviour is automatic (i.e. bacteria are incapable of any autonomous mental activity, such as decision-making or problem-solving). - Changing a sessile bacteria to a motile bacteria for that bacteria is a monster change in function, which automatically occurs when the genome is manipulated. This is direct proof that the genome can automatically dictate a movement response. It is no stretch to understand that a bacteria senses a chemical which implies a food source and automatically moves toward it, all mediated by automated chemical reactions. Humans smell a delicious aroma and automatically feel hungry without intervening thought. As you like to point out there are similarities from bottom to top of evolution.