Can single celled organisms communicate?

Question

Do things like amebia or bacteria communicate with each other. For example how do they multiply, is there some sort of communication process thats takes place prior to or after they split mutate. If there is some sort of mating or sexual process purley for procreation there must be some sort of communication process.

Answer 1

This is a very good question.

For bacteria, the answer is: probably not. Some bacteria can form a "sex pilus" and some can form a "pilus receptor." If they fit, then they'll exchange plasmids through the pilus.

For protists, the answer is: I don't know. Many undergo a process called "conjugation" which is similar to mating. I don't know how they "tell" each other they're ready for such behavior.

Answer 2

Simple organisms divide asexually ("binary fission"). There are some cases of "sex" between bacteria, involving sharing genetic material. In these cases, structures called pilli connect the cells, allowing DNA (in the form of circular plasmids) to transfer between them. It's probably a random process, two bacteria bumping into one another. That doesn't mean that simple organisms can't sense their environment. Some motile organisms have very primitive mechanisms to track towards/away from some stimulus, be it light or a chemical.

Answer 3

They don't really communicate during division. They divide untill the are surounded by other cells then then thier genetics take over and stop them from dividing

Answer 4

They have asexual reproduction so they don't need to do much signalling.

One example I remember from biology is a certain slime mold that lives its life on its own, but it can signal so that all the individuals swarm together to make a structure.

Answer 5

Yep, on their CELL PHONES.

Ha!

Beat that Dane Cook!

Answer 6

yes, you can view most forms on big brother....the one called jade seems to be able to communicate at a basic level.