mirroring symmetry that is instigated by the feedback loops of the autapse. Hence
every trajectory in egocentric space exhibits a time-reversed copy in agreement with
the above-mentioned symmetry. This yields a simple understanding of the Necker
Cube Illusion [25] and the fact that our eyes see everything upside-down. The
examples given above relate to communication between cells connected to the
central nervous system, CNS. In what follows, we will concentrate on the other
question, the trans level communication.
As our conclusion concerns open questions in the philosophy of biology, see
Ayala and Arp [39] for recent debates, there appear some highly interesting work,
where the communication between the cells plays a preferential role [40]. In his
formulation of the First Principles of Physiology, integrating the self-organizing
status of the unicellular state, see also Ref. [41], John Torday, asserts that biological
organisms exist far from equilibrium, ‘circumventing’ the Second Law of Thermodynamics generating negative entropy within them, sustained by chemiosmosis.
Moreover he finds, going through the life cycles of biological phenomena, that
evolution on this level is deterministic, while at the same time arguing that the
unicell “finds itself” in an ambiguous situation with respect to its environment.
29
Along these lines of reasoning, while acquiring epigenetic marks, one discerns
Lamarckian traits emphasizing environmental input over genetic evolution advancing
the so-called Epigenetic Inheritance Systems, EIS, [42], suggesting alternative possibilities for extending the boundaries in evolutionary biology. For instance, recent
studies on genomic imprinting in mammals, see the recent review by Li and Sasaki [43],
is redolent of mechanisms relating to the reprogramming of pluripotent stem cells. One
should emphasize, however, that these models have no direct relation to quantum
chemical processes inside a cell. Nevertheless the general question remains, i.e. how
does selection act, what sort of entities are selected? To answer this question, one needs
to go to the intracellular level translating the intercellular signals on the level of the
DNA-protein coding to the higher-order level of cell-interactions. For instance, Torday
demonstrated how the parathyroid hormone-related protein PTHrP and leptin signalling
mechanisms, do facilitate a somatic program of lung evolution, offering ontogenic/
phylogenic links. In consideration of the present idea, it would be intriguing to find a
way to transcend the intracellular level, translating the molecular signals from the
microcirculation of the alveolus to alveolar metabolism.
One may enquire what time scale τ would be appropriate for the CDE in general.
While the CDS engender a relaxation time commensurate with its process forming
dynamics, it might be interesting to investigate e.g. the important role of the primary
cilium in modulating neurogenesis. They consist of micro-tubule-based organelles,
the latter also being part of the neuronal structure, which has been particularly
emphasized by Hameroff and Penrose [44] in connection with their “Orch OR” theory
for the appearance of consciousness in the universe.
30 In eukaryotes the structure of
29
This is an intriguing declaration, since this is precisely “communication” formulated in this
article and programmed by Gödel-like sentences.
30
See also the discussions following their article in the Physics of Life Reviews.
A Simple Communication Hypothesis: The Process …
401
every trajectory in egocentric space exhibits a time-reversed copy in agreement with
the above-mentioned symmetry. This yields a simple understanding of the Necker
Cube Illusion [25] and the fact that our eyes see everything upside-down. The
examples given above relate to communication between cells connected to the
central nervous system, CNS. In what follows, we will concentrate on the other
question, the trans level communication.
As our conclusion concerns open questions in the philosophy of biology, see
Ayala and Arp [39] for recent debates, there appear some highly interesting work,
where the communication between the cells plays a preferential role [40]. In his
formulation of the First Principles of Physiology, integrating the self-organizing
status of the unicellular state, see also Ref. [41], John Torday, asserts that biological
organisms exist far from equilibrium, ‘circumventing’ the Second Law of Thermodynamics generating negative entropy within them, sustained by chemiosmosis.
Moreover he finds, going through the life cycles of biological phenomena, that
evolution on this level is deterministic, while at the same time arguing that the
unicell “finds itself” in an ambiguous situation with respect to its environment.
29
Along these lines of reasoning, while acquiring epigenetic marks, one discerns
Lamarckian traits emphasizing environmental input over genetic evolution advancing
the so-called Epigenetic Inheritance Systems, EIS, [42], suggesting alternative possibilities for extending the boundaries in evolutionary biology. For instance, recent
studies on genomic imprinting in mammals, see the recent review by Li and Sasaki [43],
is redolent of mechanisms relating to the reprogramming of pluripotent stem cells. One
should emphasize, however, that these models have no direct relation to quantum
chemical processes inside a cell. Nevertheless the general question remains, i.e. how
does selection act, what sort of entities are selected? To answer this question, one needs
to go to the intracellular level translating the intercellular signals on the level of the
DNA-protein coding to the higher-order level of cell-interactions. For instance, Torday
demonstrated how the parathyroid hormone-related protein PTHrP and leptin signalling
mechanisms, do facilitate a somatic program of lung evolution, offering ontogenic/
phylogenic links. In consideration of the present idea, it would be intriguing to find a
way to transcend the intracellular level, translating the molecular signals from the
microcirculation of the alveolus to alveolar metabolism.
One may enquire what time scale τ would be appropriate for the CDE in general.
While the CDS engender a relaxation time commensurate with its process forming
dynamics, it might be interesting to investigate e.g. the important role of the primary
cilium in modulating neurogenesis. They consist of micro-tubule-based organelles,
the latter also being part of the neuronal structure, which has been particularly
emphasized by Hameroff and Penrose [44] in connection with their “Orch OR” theory
for the appearance of consciousness in the universe.
30 In eukaryotes the structure of
29
This is an intriguing declaration, since this is precisely “communication” formulated in this
article and programmed by Gödel-like sentences.
30
See also the discussions following their article in the Physics of Life Reviews.
A Simple Communication Hypothesis: The Process …
401