ULTIMATE COMPUTING - Quantum Consciousness Studies

Cytoskeleton/Cytocomputer 115
Figure 5.24: Cell treated with microtubule assembly inhibiting drug. The cell has
lost its polarity. Lamellipodia form around the periphery of the “blob”ular cell. The
centrioles (C) are separated from the nucleus. Golgi elements (G), lysosomes (L),
mitochondria (M) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are disorderly scattered
throughout the cytoplasm. With permission from Marc DeBrabander (1982) and
Janssen Pharmaceutica Research Laboratories.
Albrecht-Buehler further divides the control of cell migration into three
subtopics: 1) generation of a front-rear axis (polarity involves MTOC and MT), 2)
cell body coordination-how the forty billion protein molecules comprising each
cell act cooperatively to move as a unit, and 3) logic of migration-the rules of
changing direction. Migrating cells make decisions and globally assess their
environment. Albrecht-Buehler asserts that the control of amoeboid cell migration
provides evidence of cytoplasmic intelligence because it requires coordination of
many cell domains and navigation which involves assessment of the environment.
But the cell is not the indivisible unit of intelligent behavior. Albrecht-
Buehler contends there are hierarchical strata of information processing within
cells. He has shown that small fragments of cytoplasm comprising about two
percent of cell volume can be torn out of living fibroblasts (Albrecht-Buehler,
1980). These “microplasts” are devoid of any genetic input, yet can move
filopodia, ruffle lamellipodia and produce blebs. Some fragments are so small
they appear as isolated active filopodia, ruffles, or blebs and suggest that cells
contain cytoplasmic domains capable of autonomous amoeboid movement.
Albrecht-Buehler asserts that these cytoplasmic activities within cells are
controlled by a superior stratum of organization to permit coherent locomotion.
This level of control is not located in the genes since cells with their nuclei