The cell as a thermostat: how much does it know?
Adv Exp Med Biol
; 736: 193-8, 2012.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22161329
How does bacterial thermotaxis compare to a simple wall thermostat? Elements with similar function can be found in the two, including a temperature-sensing element, an output switch, and an external control. But they differ in their origins. A thermostat is designed and made by humans and embodies their understanding of seasonal fluctuations in temperature and how these affect room comfort. By contrast, the bacterial system is self-contained and assembles according to information in its genome acquired by evolution. This information is far richer than anything carried by a thermostat and closer to the 'knowledge' that higher animals have about the world.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Temperature
/
Escherichia coli Proteins
/
Escherichia coli
/
Homeostasis
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Adv Exp Med Biol
Year:
2012
Document type:
Article
Country of publication:
United States