Acta Biotheoretica,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
72(1)
Published: Dec. 27, 2023
Abstract
This
paper
focuses
on
physiological
integration
in
multicellular
systems,
a
notion
often
associated
with
biological
individuality,
but
which
has
not
received
enough
attention
and
needs
thorough
theoretical
treatment.
Broadly
speaking,
consists
how
different
components
come
together
into
cohesive
unit
they
are
dependent
one
another
for
their
existence
activity.
argues
that
can
be
understood
by
considering
the
of
system
controlled
coordinated
such
way
activities
contribute
to
maintenance
system.
The
main
implication
this
perspective
is
ways
controlling
parts
may
give
rise
organizations
degrees
integration.
After
defining
control,
analyses
control
realized
two
examples
systems
located
at
ends
spectrum
multicellularity:
biofilms
animals.
It
differences
ranges,
it
high
degree
implies
exerted
both
medium
long
insofar
as
lack
long-range
(relative
size)
considered
less
integrated
than
other
systems.
then
discusses
account
debate
individuality
idea
imply
individuality.
History, philosophy and theory of the life sciences,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 241 - 262
Published: Nov. 10, 2023
Abstract
Theoretical
accounts
of
development
exhibit
several
internal
tensions
and
face
multiple
challenges.
They
span
from
the
problem
identification
temporal
boundaries
(beginning
end)
to
characterization
distinctive
type
change
involved
compared
other
biological
processes.
include
questions
such
as
role
ascribe
environment
or
what
types
systems
can
undergo
whether
they
should
colonies
even
ecosystems.
In
this
chapter
we
discuss
these
conceptual
issues,
argue
that
adopting
an
organizational
approach
may
help
solve
clarify
them.
While
is
usually
identified
with
achievement
adult
form
capability
reproduce
therefore
maintain
a
lineage,
provide
different
strategy,
which
focuses
also
on
maintenance
current
organization
organism.
By
doing
so
favors
switch
in
perspective
consists
analyzing
how
organisms
their
viability
at
each
moment
rather
than
considering
them
going
through
intermediate
stages
process
directed
toward
specific
goal
state.
This
developmental
dimension
has
yet
be
given
general
detailed
analysis
within
theoretical
perspective,
apart
some
preliminary
attempts.
How
maintained
series
radical
changes
are
issues
still
require
clarification.
offer
beginnings
transitions,
understood
functionality
brought
forth
by
regulatory
mechanisms
context
continued
every
step.
Living
systems
are
complex
made
of
components
that
tend
to
degrade,
but
nonetheless
they
maintain
themselves
far
from
equilibrium.
This
requires
living
extract
energy
and
materials
the
environment
use
them
build
repair
their
parts
by
regulating
activities
based
on
internal
external
conditions
in
ways
allow
keep
living.
The
philosophical
theoretical
approach
discussed
this
Element
aims
explain
these
features
biological
appealing
organization.
It
addresses
classical
more
recent
issues
philosophy
biology,
fromorigins
definitions
life
teleology
functions,
an
original
perspective
mainly
focused
system,
its
physiology
behavior,
rather
than
evolution.
discusses
revises
conceptual
foundations
presents
updated
version
it.
title
is
also
available
as
Open
Access
Cambridge
Core.
Models
of
consciousness
need
to
explain
both
objective
correlates
conscious
experience
as
well
its
subjective
structure.
However,
such
an
explanation
would
not
entail
a
reduction
exclusively
in
terms
physical
or
neural
systems.
We
briefly
sketch
few
points
contention
with
recent
work
on
integrated
information
theory
and
some
common
assumptions
made
the
neuroscience
more
generally.
Biosystems,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
232, P. 105017 - 105017
Published: Sept. 2, 2023
Understanding
how
biological
organisms
are
autonomous-maintain
themselves
far
from
equilibrium
through
their
own
activities-requires
understanding
they
regulate
those
activities.
In
multicellular
animals,
such
control
can
be
exercised
either
via
endocrine
signaling
the
vasculature
or
neurons.
C.
elegans
this
is
by
a
well-delineated
relatively
small
but
distributed
nervous
system
that
relies
on
both
chemical
and
electric
transmission
of
signals.
This
provides
resources
to
integrate
information
multiple
sources
as
needed
maintain
organism.
Especially
important
for
exercise
neural
neuromodulators,
which
we
present
setting
agendas
more
traditional
electrical
signaling.
To
illustrate
integrates
in
controlling
activities
autonomy,
focus
feeding
behavior
responses
adverse
conditions.
We
conclude
considering
without
centralized
controller
nonetheless
adequate
autonomy.
We
attempt
here
to
assess
the
possibility
of
reorganizing
contemporary
societies
toward
coupled
imperatives
fulfilling
human
needs
while
respecting
planetary
boundaries.
first
show
that
social
organization
respects
property
(biological)
autonomy,
and
suggest
a
principled
manner
describe
change.
conclude
an
“ecological
redirection”
is
possible,
but
necessitates
overall
reorganization
activity
around
lower
scale,
dynamic
forms
organization.
