Abstract
Our basic axiom is “Life is a semiotic category,” that is, living beings are able to decipher signs and grasp their meaning, and to behave according to their memory, experience, and momentary context. Semiosis requires memory and experience of both individuals, lineages, and the whole biosphere. First, we demonstrate this by developing on the concept of “umwelt,” by understanding it as historical memory and as the experience of individuals or their assemblages (i.e., not only what is manifested here and now). This leads us to the idea of mutual understanding (to some extent) of all life in the biosphere. We discuss the means of message transmission in terms of both the intracellular protein ecosystem and the biospheric web, as well as the mutual influences of such systems. Hence, evolution of life and its biospheric web is rooted in universal protocols maintained by the mutual efforts of all biosphere dwellers.
Sparse life hanging on in oases could never have the power to regulate or oppose the unfavorable changes that are inevitable on a lifeless planet. Sparse life would only be found at the birth or death of the Gaian system.
Lovelock 1988, 76.
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Notes
- 1.
“Lineage” is the term used here for simplicity. As shown below, we are aware of the reticulate character of the “tree of life,” as well as the fact that most evolution is evolution of holobionts.
- 2.
For multiple definitions of umwelt, see Tønnessen et al. (2016).
- 3.
The primary symbiogenetic event in Paulinella is capture of a cyanobacterium and its transformation into a primary chloroplast, some 50 million years ago. A single exception known from a rule suggested above.
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Acknowledgements
Supported by the UNCE project 204004 of the Charles University in Prague (JŠ, AM) and by the John Templeton Foundation (PD, AM). Comments by J. Lhotský are highly appreciated. F. Cvrčková drew the figures.
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Švorcová, J., Markoš, A., Das, P. (2018). Origins of the Cellular Biosphere. In: Sahi, V., Baluška, F. (eds) Concepts in Cell Biology - History and Evolution. Plant Cell Monographs, vol 23. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69944-8_12
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