This is sort of a vague question, Philip. Clearly there is a lot of complex information-processing going on inside cells --- DNA is a kind of complex computer program, and its genes code for proteins, some of which collectively form a kind of assembler and compiler for this program, etc.
However, the idea that this information processing plays a direct role in human-mind-level information processing, is another hypothesis entirely. As you probably know, Stuart Hameroff has proposed that molecular-biology information processing in the microtubules in the cell walls of neurons, are a key part of human cognition. Personally, I doubt it, but.... In the same vein, I read a book a while back in which two guys named Jibu and Yasue tried to follow up on Hameroff's ideas with a detailed theory of the cognitive role of quantum nonlocality effects in water megamolecules in the brain. There has probably been more work along these lines recently, but, it's definitely highly speculative and not accepted by the bulk of the scientific community. -- Ben G > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Behalf Of Philip Sutton > Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2004 12:22 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [agi] Within-cell computation in biological neural systems?? > > > Does anyone have an up-to-date fix on how much computation occurs > (if any) within-cells (as opposed to the traditional neural net > level) that > are part of biolgical brain systems? ........especially in the case of > animals that have a premium placed on the number of neurones they > can support (eg. limited by size, weight or energy supply compared to > the need for computational capacity). > > Cheers, Philip > > ------- > To unsubscribe, change your address, or temporarily deactivate > your subscription, > please go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ------- To unsubscribe, change your address, or temporarily deactivate your subscription, please go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
