The Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
An ability to sense and respond to the world is vital for the survival of most organisms, but methods of perception can vary significantly. We tend to think of animals as the most gifted in that regard… but a species of fungus is offering a challenge to what we think we know about intelligence.is able to distinguish between different arrangements of its neighbors and adjust its behavior accordingly.
Fungi represent a broad array of organisms, including yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. They play an important role in Earth's ecosystems, helping to break down dead organic matter into the rich humus that is recycled into living organisms.. It grows out of wood, and goes in search of other wood to colonize. On the surface, it looks a bit like scraps of white or orange velvet; but, up close, it consists of a network of fibrous strands, known as the mycelium..
This, as you may have already guessed, is not what happened. Instead, the mycelium spread out from a central point until it encountered other tendrils of mycelium from neighboring blocks. These tendrils linked up, forming and strengthening connections. Then the excess tendrils were retracted, and the mycelium started behaving as one unit, sending out strands in directions most likely to result in successful foraging.
For the cross-shaped arrangement, the four blocks at the tips of the cross had the most mycelial connections, and the foraging tendrils splayed outwards from all four points. These four points, the researchers suggested, represented the best outposts from which the fungus could conduct its exploration of the surrounding environment.izes the layout of its surroundings and communicates its layout across the network to coordinate its activity in order to optimize its formation in that environment.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
If Your Body-Related Annoyances Make You Wanna Disappear Into A Bush Like Homer Simpson, Try These 43 ProductsStubborn acne, fungus, and warts are no match for these effective solutions.
Read more »
Bird nests made with a toxic fungus seem to fend off attacking antsTwo species of birds in Costa Rica build nests in trees defended by ants. Ants that encounter the horsehair fungus in the nests develop odd behaviors.
Read more »
How a bacterium becomes a permanent resident in a fungusAn organism as a tenant in another -- in biology, this often works quite well. Researchers have now shed light on how such a partnership of a cell in a cell can establish itself.
Read more »
Here's where you may be able to see the Northern Lights during massive geomagnetic stormA significant geomagnetic storm similar to one that brought widespread auroras to unusual locations in May may bring the Northern Lights to the Chicago area.
Read more »
Here's where you may be able to see the Northern Lights during massive geomagnetic stormA significant geomagnetic storm similar to one that brought widespread auroras to unusual locations in May may bring the Northern Lights to the Chicago area.
Read more »
Here's where you may be able to see the Northern Lights during massive geomagnetic stormA significant geomagnetic storm similar to one that brought widespread auroras to unusual locations in May may bring the Northern Lights to the Chicago area.
Read more »