1. emester M 5/5 Field Trip- 2pm
2pm class Final Exam M 5/12 from 9am-noon in PAI 3.02
(bring cheat sheet (one))
Reviews: T 5/6 from 5-7pm in PAI 3.02
F 5/9 from 5-6pm in PAI 3.02
emester

2. emester M 5/5 Field Trip- 2pm
3pm class Final Exam W 5/7 from 7-10 pm in WEL 2.246
(bring cheat sheet (one))
Review T 5/6 from 5-7pm in PAI 3.02
emester

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. Plant can integrate information and make decisions without a central nervous system.
Light vs Touch
CB 39.26

6. 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

7. Slime mold aggregation

8. Slime mold aggregation

9. It has been known for some time that slime mold aggregation occurs via cAMP signaling

10. It was assumed that certain cells (pacemakers) signaled the others to aggregate

11. But, no one could find the pacemakers
single cell

12. Each cell releases cAMP and responds to local conditions
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

13. Each cell releases cAMP and responds to local conditions
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

14. Slime molds can learn. The plasmodium can figure out the shortest path through a maze.

15. Ant colonies: this is our concept of how an ant colony is organized.

16. Queen is fed and lays eggs, but gives no orders.

17. So who is in charge?

18. 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.

19. Cities:
Before zoning regulations were self-organizing.
Different zones: industrial, residential, markets, arts, etc.

20. Nerves allow us to perceive the environment while the brain integrates the incoming signals to determine an appropriate response.
CB 48.3
Response

21. CB 48.5
Nervous systems can make complex calculations with cells that are on/off (1 or 0)

22. There is no boss in the brain. Nor directions in how to make one.
CB 48.27
There is no boss in the brain. Nor directions in how to make one.

23. Much of our society is based on emergent properties.

24. Much of our society is based on emergent properties.
Problems can arise as individuals try to manipulate the system.

25. 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.

26. Much of our society is based on emergent properties:
Democracy- as a group can we make better decisions than an individual?