emester

1

• Exam 4 W 5/6 in class(dont forget your cheat
  sheet)
• Class on F 5/8 will be a review for the
  optionalFINAL EXAM
• Final T 5/19 at 9am-noon

emester
2
Two ways to think about the world atoms molec
ules organelles cells tissues organs sys
tems organisms environment
Reductionism
holism
3
Emergent properties- properties of an organism or
group that none of the individual components
possess.
From Emergence by Steven Johnson (2001)
4
Plant can integrate information and make
decisions without a central nervous system.
5
Fig 37.4
Water travels from ground out through stomata via
xylem
6
Stomata control entry of CO2 and exit of H2O from
plant leaves
Fig 10.21
Stomata
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Stomata on the underside of a leaf
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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
9
Nerves allow us to perceive the environment while
the brain integrates the incoming signals to
determine an appropriate response.
Fig 45.18
Response
10
Fig 45.3
Nervous systems can make complex calculations
with cells that are on/off (1 or 0)
11
Fig 45.21
There is no boss in the brain. Nor directions in
how to make one.
12
Slime mold aggregation
Fig 29.9
13
Slime mold aggregation
Fig 29.9
14
It has been known for some time that slime mold
aggregation occurs via cAMP signaling
15
It was assumed that certain cells (pacemakers)
signaled the others to aggregate
16
But, no one could find the pacemakers
single cell
17
Each cell releases cAMP and responds to local
conditions. Cells follow cAMP trail to aggregate
with other cells.
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
single cells
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
18
Each cell releases cAMP and responds to local
conditions. Cells follow cAMP trail to aggregate
with other cells self-organizing
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
single cells
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
cAMP
19
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
20
Ant colonies this is our concept of how an ant
colony is organized.
21
The Queen is fed and lays eggs, but gives no
orders.
http//www.antstop.co.uk/nests/nest-static.jpg
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So who is in charge?
23
Harvester ant wokers have four distinct tasks
that they can perform outside the nest foraging,
patrolling, nest maintenance, and midden work
24
Each ant uses local information to determine what
to do. Can do this without central command.
With a few simple criteria, the plan comes
together.
25
Interaction rate informs harvester ant task
decisions
Fig 2. Interaction rate informs harvester ant
task decisions. M. Greene D. Gordon.
Behavioral Ecology 18 451-455
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Patroller return rate increases about 30 min.
before foragers leave nest
Fig 2. Interaction rate informs harvester ant
task decisions. M. Greene D. Gordon.
Behavioral Ecology 18 451-455
27
Adding beads (coated in patroller extract) at the
correct rate can induce forager activity
Fig 1. Interaction rate informs harvester ant
task decisions. M. Greene D. Gordon.
Behavioral Ecology 18 451-455
28
Each ant uses local information to determine what
to do. Can do this without central command.
With a few simple criteria, the plan comes
together.
29
Cities Before zoning regulations were
self-organizing. -Different zones industrial,
residential, markets, arts, etc.
30
Much of our society is based on emergent
properties.
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Much of our society is based on emergent
properties.
Problems can arise as individuals try to
manipulate the system.
32
Much of our society is based on emergent
properties.
Problems can arise as individuals try to
manipulate the system. Google BombsMiserable
failure directed searchers to the White House
biography of G.W. Bush.
http//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3298443.stm
33
Not everyone uses the same criteria to make
decisions...
34
Stock Market prices set by what other people
think will happen.
35
Much of our society is based on emergent
properties Democracy- as a group can we make
better decisions than an individual?
36

• Exam 4 W 5/6 in class(dont forget your cheat
  sheet)
• Class on F 5/8 will be a review for the
  optionalFINAL EXAM
• Final T 5/19 at 9am-noon

emester