Altruism in Single Celled Organisms

[IzzyPop]

Just read this fascinating article on altruism in Dictyostelium discoideum. It demonstrates how altruism can give a genetic advantage on even a tiny scale. Kinda pokes a few more holes in the whole "evolution means we would all be selfish twits" line of 'reasoning'.

 

[Benjiarmon]

Fascinating. Its amazing what even the smallest of organisms can do to survive.

Thank you for an interesting read.

 

[guzman]

great read until the last paragraph, where I almost lost my dinner. It's all pretty scientific until the author commits intellectual suicide by stating the following:

The consistency with which these amoebas act in the common good might inspire admiration in many. Yet a more cynical observer might point out that the amoebas are moved not by love of family and friends, nor by moral scruples, but by the cold mechanics of natural selection. Amoebas behave altruistically only because natural selection has led to a stable state in which self-sacrifice is the best way for them to pass on their genes.

I think I'm going to get sick. What a load of bull.

 

[Chalnoth]

great read until the last paragraph, where I almost lost my dinner. It's all pretty scientific until the author commits intellectual suicide by stating the following:

The consistency with which these amoebas act in the common good might inspire admiration in many. Yet a more cynical observer might point out that the amoebas are moved not by love of family and friends, nor by moral scruples, but by the cold mechanics of natural selection. Amoebas behave altruistically only because natural selection has led to a stable state in which self-sacrifice is the best way for them to pass on their genes.

I think I'm going to get sick. What a load of bull.

Uh, what he's stated is quite correct. Why do you think it's a "load of bull"?

 

[sbvera13]

they are capable of an extraordinary and rare transformation. The amoebas set aside their lives as individuals and join ranks to form a new multicellular entity. Not all the amoebas will survive this cooperative venture, however. Some will sacrifice themselves to help the rest find a new life elsewhere.

In addition to the interesting behavioral aspects, it also sounds like what we have here is a possible example of a transitional form between unicellular and multicellular life forms. Hard to argue against evolution when we have living examples.

 

[Split Rock]

great read until the last paragraph, where I almost lost my dinner. It's all pretty scientific until the author commits intellectual suicide by stating the following:

The consistency with which these amoebas act in the common good might inspire admiration in many. Yet a more cynical observer might point out that the amoebas are moved not by love of family and friends, nor by moral scruples, but by the cold mechanics of natural selection. Amoebas behave altruistically only because natural selection has led to a stable state in which self-sacrifice is the best way for them to pass on their genes.

I think I'm going to get sick. What a load of bull.

This works because they are all clones and therefore pass on their genes even if only one survives to reproduce. As a multicellular organism (which the slime mold becomes under starvation) our individual cells sacrifice themselves all the time.