Defining sentient cells: Cell receptors (Introduction)

by David Turell , Wednesday, March 28, 2018, 19:21 (2220 days ago) @ David Turell

They are very large complex proteins, and operate automatically:

https://phys.org/news/2018-03-long-held-concepts-cell-decoding.html

"Scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Intramural Research Program (IRP) have uncovered evidence that shows a more complex and elaborate role for the body's hard-working G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) than previously thought, suggesting a conceptual advance in the fields of biochemistry and pharmacology. With more than 800 members in the human genome, GPCRs are the largest family of proteins involved in decoding signals as they come into the cell and then adapt the cell's function in response.

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"The NIDA scientists conclude that GPCRs form part of very elaborate pre-coupled macromolecular complexes. Simply put, they act as little computing devices that optimally gather and process information coming into the cell, allowing the cells to adapt and change their function. (my bold)

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"'These findings represent many years of complex and highly nuanced science, following the trail as chemical signals travel through the body at the cellular level,'"

Comment: Note my bold. Cells don't think. They are sentient in that they receive sensory input and automatically compute responses. Please look at the protein molecule on the website as illustrated. Don't think a chance evolutionary process invented that molecule.