Intelligence Insights From Observing a Single Cell

There exists a fascinating single-celled organism (Physarum polycephalum), informally referred to as "slime mold" or "the blob" due to its mold-like appearance and growth patterns. After analyzing how this organism intelligently expands, successfully solves mazes and is propelled toward resources throughout its lifecycle, we will then consider our current definition of what it means to be "an intelligent organism", and how this fascinating mold could reshape the requirements for being considered "truly intelligent" by human standards. We will start off by looking at what exactly this mold is and what its core components are. The slime mold has some unique traits such as having an extensive network of tubular extensions called "pseudopods" that can cover several square meters at full size, being able to double its mass every day (if resources allow), avoid potentially toxic areas and completely heal itself if it is sliced in half. Even the way this organism moves is very intriguing: "During locomotion with a speed of 1 cm/h, the size and mesh of tubes evolve depending on the position within the organism. At the frontal part of the plasmodium, small components of the tube are very densely connected and some of the small tubes gradually become thick, while most of them disappear toward the rear" one researcher says.