Can Cells Think?

I’m surprised to hear Cece-40 echoing my own thoughts. How can a cell even think life is difficult? For one, can a cell think at all? I can think because I have a brain and nervous system, and as a biologist, I know a cell has none of that. Even a neuron—which looks completely different from a stem cell or blood cell—doesn’t have a 'brain' of its own.

Cece-40 seemed to sense my curiosity. She spoke in my mind, 'I have no idea why we cells can think, but I do know that we communicate through electrical waves and chemical signals. These signals spread quickly but are limited—they can’t travel faster than the speed of light. When you’re angry, an alarm is sent, alerting all cells almost instantly. But that alarm takes a lot of energy, so it’s rarely used. Normally, we just talk to each other through chemical signals. I enjoy talking to the blood cells—they’re incredibly brave and hardworking. They’re like adventurous rafters, traveling through the whole body carrying oxygen...and the latest gossip.'

I resisted thinking too deeply about this because Yin had just yelled, 'This is clearly an illusion; you should see a doctor! I can’t hear any cell talking.'

So, I accepted it: yes, I can hear one of my cells, Cece-40, and she can think. I don’t even know why I want to use 'she/her' for Cece-40—do cells even have genders? Well, besides sperm and egg cells? Maybe it’s too much to dwell on.

At least some of what Cece-40 said made sense. For example, the communication mechanisms. Just the other day, my colleague Ed mentioned how fireflies synchronize their flashing patterns. At first, the flashes seem random, but as more fireflies join, the flashes synchronize and spread throughout the forest. Ed claimed it’s due to waves. I looked online; while I didn’t find a scientific paper proving this theory, the phenomenon of synchronization among fireflies is well-documented.

Science, it seems, has its limits. I’m a scientist and believe in science, but that belief isn’t like religious faith. Real science requires an open mind, yet not all scientists remain that way. Some turn science into a rigid belief system, shutting down challenges and refusing to consider that there might be things beyond scientific explanation.

I’m not one of those scientists. So, while I don’t have a scientific way to explain what’s happening yet, I’m not ready to jump to the conclusion Yin did. I don’t believe I’m having hallucinations or a mental issue—at least not in that sense.

Cece-40 continued, 'I can access the knowledge stored by neurons, but some concepts are confusing to us. We don’t know what football is, or a stadium, or even a kiss or a hug. I know DNA exists within our nuclei, but I don’t understand how it defines who I am or why I’m different from other cells, even though we share the same DNA. There are so many questions we can’t answer. I hope you can explain these things to me.'

Interesting. I hope the same. But for now, the 'God' in Cece-40’s eyes—me—is in deep trouble.

--TBC--

11/14/2024, St. Louis