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A Method for Growing Bio-memristors from Slime Mold
Published on: November 2, 2017
Brainless but Multi-Headed: Decision Making by the Acellular Slime Mould Physarum polycephalum
Madeleine Beekman1, Tanya Latty2
1Behaviour and Genetics of Social Insects Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia.
Abstract:
Because of its peculiar biology and the ease with which it can be cultured, the acellular slime mould Physarum polycephalum has long been a model organism in a range of disciplines. Due to its macroscopic, syncytial nature, it is no surprise that it has been a favourite amongst cell biologists. Its inclusion in the experimental tool kit of behavioural ecologists is much more recent. These recent studies have certainly paid off. They have shown that, for an organism that lacks a brain or central nervous system, P. polycephalum shows rather complex behaviour. For example, it is capable of finding the shortest path through a maze, it can construct networks as efficient as those designed by humans, it can solve computationally difficult puzzles, it makes multi-objective foraging decisions, it balances its nutrient intake and it even behaves irrationally. Are the slime mould's achievements simply "cute", worthy of mentioning in passing but nothing to take too seriously? Or do they hint at the fundamental processes underlying all decision making? We will address this question after reviewing the decision-making abilities of the slime mould.
Insights
The slime mould Physarum polycephalum exhibits complex decision-making behaviors, including maze-solving and efficient network construction, despite lacking a brain. These findings suggest fundamental insights into decision-making processes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Computational Biology
Background:
- The acellular slime mould, Physarum polycephalum, is a long-standing model organism due to its unique biology and ease of culture.
- Its macroscopic, syncytial nature makes it valuable for cell biology studies.
- Recent research has expanded its use into behavioral ecology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the decision-making capabilities of Physarum polycephalum.
- To explore whether its complex behaviors offer fundamental insights into decision-making processes.
- To assess if these behaviors are merely "cute" or indicative of deeper biological principles.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Physarum polycephalum's behavior.
- Analysis of studies demonstrating problem-solving, network optimization, and foraging decisions.
- Examination of research on its nutrient balancing and seemingly irrational behaviors.
Main Results:
- Physarum polycephalum demonstrates sophisticated behaviors without a central nervous system.
- It can find shortest paths, create human-comparable efficient networks, and solve complex computational puzzles.
- The organism makes multi-objective foraging decisions, balances nutrient intake, and exhibits irrational behavior.
Conclusions:
- The complex decision-making abilities of Physarum polycephalum challenge conventional understanding of biological intelligence.
- These behaviors may reflect fundamental principles underlying decision-making across diverse organisms.
- Further investigation is warranted to understand the mechanisms and implications of these slime mould behaviors.
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