JOURNAL ARTICLE

Cellular and evolutionary perspectives on organismal cognition: from unicellular to multicellular organisms.

  • Published In: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2023, v. 139, n. 4. P. 503 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Baluška, František; Miller, William B; Reber, Arthur S 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines the evolutionary origins of cells from unicellular organisms to multicellularity, focusing on plants and animals and their dual organismal self-identities: immunological and neuronal. It proposes a symbiotic model of eukaryogenesis in which the first eukaryotic cells arose from the merger of a large amoeba-like host cell and a smaller flagellated guest cell that became the nucleus, reflecting a fundamental duality also seen in sexual gametes and immune/neural systems. The paper highlights the protist-like nature of many animal and plant cells, including immune cells and gametes, and emphasizes the central role of the plasma membrane in cellular cognition, sentience, and self-identity. It argues for reconsidering the cell as the fundamental unit of life and cognition to better understand biological complexity and disease.

Additional Information

  • Source:Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2023/08, Vol. 139, Issue 4, p503
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Science
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0024-4066
  • DOI:10.1093/biolinnean/blac005
  • Accession Number:169851150
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Biological Journal of the Linnean Society is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.