Adaptive behaviour and learning in slime moulds: the role of oscillations

摘要: The slime mould Physarum polycephalum, an aneural organism, uses information from previous experiences to adjust its behaviour, but the mechanisms by which this is accomplished remain unknown. This article examines possible role of oscillations in learning and memory moulds. Slime moulds share surprising similarities with network synaptic connections animal brains. First, their topology derives a interconnected, vein-like tubes signalling molecules are transported. Second, motility, generates driven distinct that organize into spatio-temporal wave patterns. Likewise, neural activity brain organized variety characterized different frequencies. Interestingly, oscillating networks not precursors nervous systems but, rather, alternative architecture. Here, we argue comparable information-processing operations can be realized on architectures sharing similar oscillatory properties. After describing abilities activities P. explore relation between learning, evaluate organism's global architecture respect potential. We hypothesize that, as brain, modulation spontaneous may sustain mould. part theme issue 'Basal cognition: conceptual tools view single cell'.