Biomolecular Basis of Cellular Consciousness via Subcellular Nanobrains
František Baluška, William B. Miller, Arthur S. Reber
International Journal of Molecular Sciences March 3, 2021 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052545 via OpenAlex
Summary
Consciousness and sentience are grounded in the fundamental biology of all cells, not just those in complex nervous systems. The cellular basis of consciousness (CBC) model proposes that the excitable plasma membrane and other biomolecular structures present in every cell enable a primitive form of awareness. This cellular consciousness evolved early in life's history and persists in unicellular organisms like protists and algae, as well as in the cells of multicellular fungi, plants, and animals. The article discusses the evolutionary origins and molecular underpinnings of this universal cellular sentience.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | All biological awareness, sentience, and consciousness are grounded in general cell biology, specifically in the excitable plasma membrane and other conserved biomolecular structures. |
Abstract
Cells emerged at the very beginning of life on Earth and, in fact, are coterminous with life. They are enclosed within an excitable plasma membrane, which defines the outside and inside domains via their specific biophysical properties. Unicellular organisms, such as diverse protists and algae, still live a cellular life. However, fungi, plants, and animals evolved a multicellular existence. Recently, we have developed the cellular basis of consciousness (CBC) model, which proposes that all biological awareness, sentience and consciousness are grounded in general cell biology. Here we discuss the biomolecular structures and processes that allow for and maintain this cellular consciousness from an evolutionary perspective.