Biomolecular Basis of Cellular Consciousness via Subcellular Nanobrains

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.

Keywords: actin; cell; cell biology; consciousness; cytoskeleton; eukaryotes; excitability; membranes; sentience; symbiosis.

Figure 1

Plasma membrane and endosomal recycling vesicles-based nanobrain. Schematic depiction of the senome and the N-space episenome in two contrasting cells of multicellular organisms. (A) In the neurons and neuron-like cells, highly active endocytosis and endocytic vesicle recycling results in hypertrophied senome (lilac circle) and N-space episenome (red circle). Such cells are well-informed about their environment and are active in cell–cell communication via their plasma membrane-based nanobrains. (B) In the example of mature red blood cells, there are only minimal activities of endocytosis and endosomal vesicle recycling. Such cells have shrunk their senomes (lilac circle) and N-space episenomes (red circle) based nanobrains. They are socially isolated, with minimal cell–cell communication and highly reduced cellular sensory apparatus.

Figure 2

Surfaces within surfaces—endomembrane system of the eukaryotic cell. The eukaryotic cell has chimeric nature due to the endosymbiotic origin of its major organelles. The plasma membrane encloses diverse organelles as well as endocytic vesicles and endosomes, representing the surfaces within surfaces situation. Importantly, endocytic vesicles enclose portions of the extracellular space, representing unique outside within inside situation.