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Cryptobiosis: a new theoretical perspective.

Yair Neuman1

  • 1Office for Interdisciplinary Research, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel. yneuman@bgumail.bgu.ac.il

Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology
|December 29, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Tardigrades can enter cryptobiosis, a reversible state of suspended animation. This phenomenon is explained by their recursive hierarchical organization, enabling self-bootstrapping through biological computation.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cellular Biology
  • Theoretical Biology

Background:

  • Tardigrades are microscopic organisms known for their ability to survive extreme environmental conditions.
  • This survival is achieved through cryptobiosis, a state of suspended animation characterized by metabolic depression.
  • Cryptobiosis is poorly understood, presenting theoretical challenges in explaining reversible biological processes and self-bootstrapping.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a theoretical framework for understanding tardigrade cryptobiosis.
  • To explain the paradoxical ability of tardigrades to 'bootstrap' themselves back to life.
  • To suggest that biological organization itself can be the causal agent in matter.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on tardigrade cryptobiosis and biological organization.
  • Application of Bateson's concept of 'recursive hierarchical' organization.
  • Integration of theoretical physics concepts on reversible computation.

Main Results:

  • Cryptobiosis, while obscure, is scientifically comprehensible within a framework where organization drives processes.
  • Recursive hierarchical organization in organisms provides a basis for understanding self-bootstrapping.
  • This organizational structure facilitates reversible computation, explaining the return from cryptobiosis.

Conclusions:

  • Tardigrade cryptobiosis is a manifestation of inherent biological organization.
  • The 'recursive hierarchical' model explains how organisms can initiate life-sustaining processes.
  • Understanding biological computation and organization is key to deciphering cryptobiosis.

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