An associative learning experiment using the plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum

Tomohiro Shirakawa; Yukio Pegio Gunji; Yoshihiro Miyake

doi:10.1016/j.nancom.2011.05.002

An associative learning experiment using the plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum

Tomohiro Shirakawa^*, Yukio Pegio Gunji, Yoshihiro Miyake

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

49 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum is a unicellular and multinuclear giant amoeba that shows adaptive behaviors. To test the presence of memory and learning ability in the plasmodium, we performed an associative learning experiment using the unicellular organism. The plasmodium in this experiment seemed to acquire a reversed thermotactic property, a new preference for the lower temperature. The result implied a possibility of unicellular learning, though in a preliminary way. We also discuss a possible mechanism of learning by the organism.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	99-105
Number of pages	7
Journal	Nano Communication Networks
Volume	2
Issue number	2-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nancom.2011.05.002
Publication status	Published - 2011 Jun
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Cell motility
Learning
Memory
Physarum polycephalum
Taxis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Computer Networks and Communications
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Applied Mathematics

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10.1016/j.nancom.2011.05.002

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abstract = "The plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum is a unicellular and multinuclear giant amoeba that shows adaptive behaviors. To test the presence of memory and learning ability in the plasmodium, we performed an associative learning experiment using the unicellular organism. The plasmodium in this experiment seemed to acquire a reversed thermotactic property, a new preference for the lower temperature. The result implied a possibility of unicellular learning, though in a preliminary way. We also discuss a possible mechanism of learning by the organism.",

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AB - The plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum is a unicellular and multinuclear giant amoeba that shows adaptive behaviors. To test the presence of memory and learning ability in the plasmodium, we performed an associative learning experiment using the unicellular organism. The plasmodium in this experiment seemed to acquire a reversed thermotactic property, a new preference for the lower temperature. The result implied a possibility of unicellular learning, though in a preliminary way. We also discuss a possible mechanism of learning by the organism.

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KW - Learning

KW - Memory

KW - Physarum polycephalum

KW - Taxis

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An associative learning experiment using the plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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