Download 7/8

•Exam #3 W 7/9 in class
(don’t forget your cheat sheet)
•Bonus #2 due 7/10 in
class
•Yes, discussions
on Wed, 7/9
•Class on Th 7/10 will be
a review for the optional
FINAL EXAM
•Final Sat. 7/12 at 7-10pm
emester
Two ways to think about the world:
Reductionism
atoms
molecules
organelles
cells
tissues
organs
systems
organisms
holism
environment
Emergent properties- properties of an
organism or group that none of the individual
components possess.
From: “Emergence” by Steven Johnson (2001)
Plant can integrate information and make
decisions without a central nervous system.
Plants
respond to
touch
CB 39.26
Plants
respond to
touch
CB 39.26
touched
not touched
Shade Avoidance
direct light
shade
Plant can
integrate
information and
make decisions
without a
central nervous
system.
CB 39.26
Light vs Touch
CB 36.2
Water travels
from ground out
through stomata
via xylem
Stomata
control entry
of CO2 and exit
of H2O from
plant leaves
CB 36.12
Stomata
Stomata on the underside of a leaf
Plant can integrate information and make
decisions without a central nervous system.
Stomata aperture is affected by many stimuli: light, water,
temperature, sugar content, circadian rhythm, CO2 levels…
CB 36.14
Slime mold aggregation
Slime mold aggregation
It has been known for some time that slime
mold aggregation occurs via cAMP signaling
It was assumed that certain cells (pacemakers)
signaled the others to aggregate
But, no one could find the pacemakers
single cell
Each cell releases cAMP and responds to local
conditions. Cells follow cAMP trail to
aggregate with other cells.
cAMP
cAMP
single cells
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
Each cell releases cAMP and responds to local
conditions. Cells follow cAMP trail to
aggregate with other cells… self-organizing
cAMP
cAMP
single cells
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
Slime molds can learn. The plasmodium can
figure out the shortest path through a maze.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s189608.htm
Ant colonies: this is our concept of how an
ant colony is organized.
Queen is fed and lays eggs, but gives no
orders.
http://www.antstop.co.uk/nests/nest-static.jpg
So who is in charge?
Ant midden, garbage, and cemetery are put far
away from colony and each other. Can do this
without central command. With a few simple
criteria, the plan comes together.
Cities:
Before zoning
regulations were
self-organizing.
Different zones:
industrial,
residential,
markets, arts, etc.
Nerves allow us to perceive the environment
while the brain integrates the incoming signals
to determine an appropriate response.
CB 48.3
Response
CB 48.5
Nervous systems can make complex
calculations with cells that are on/off (1 or 0)
CB 48.27
There is no boss in the brain. Nor directions in
how to make one.
Much of our society is based on emergent
properties.
Much of our society is based on emergent
properties.
Problems can arise as individuals try to
manipulate the system.
Much of our society is based on emergent
properties.
Problems can arise as individuals try to
manipulate the system. Google Bombs:
Miserable failure directed searchers to the
White House biography of G.W. Bush.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3298443.stm
Much of our society is based on emergent
properties:
Democracy- as a group can we make better
decisions than an individual?
•Exam #3 W 7/9 in class
(don’t forget your cheat sheet)
•Bonus #2 due 7/10 in
class
•Yes, discussions
on Wed, 7/9
•Class on Th 7/10 will be
a review for the optional
FINAL EXAM
•Final Sat. 7/12 at 7-10pm
emester