The biological microprocessors

"The Underground Network Fungi grow by releasing spores, which can germinate and form long, spidery threads underground (a mycelium). We typically only see the tiny mushrooms on the surface without realizing that there’s a vast network of interconnected mycelium beneath our feet. It is through this network that information can be shared, somewhat like neural connections in the brain." (ScitechDaily, No Brains, No Problem: The Surprising Intelligence of Fungi)

Fungi are the most impressive species in the world. Those versatile creatures bring a new state to intelligence research and machine-based artificial intelligence. That is suitable for robots as well as larger computers. Fungi can learn and remember things without a single neuron. That is what makes them interesting because those proteins and enzyme-based chemical brains can used to control nanomachines. 

The ability to learn things and make decisions are things that are connected to neurons. Fungi make those things without neurons. And that is the thing that makes them interesting. The ability to communicate through the mycelium network makes fungi an interesting thing to understand neuro-evolution. That makes it possible to create biological microchips that don't all the time require nutrients. 

"A study has revealed that fungi can exhibit intelligent behaviors like decision-making and learning, without having a brain. Credit: ©Yu Fukasawa et al." (ScitechDaily, No Brains, No Problem: The Surprising Intelligence of Fungi)

"Fungal mycelial networks connecting wood blocks arranged in circle (left) and cross (right) shapes. Credit: ©Yu Fukasawa et al." (ScitechDaily, No Brains, No Problem: The Surprising Intelligence of Fungi)

Researchers made experiments with neurons that communicate with microchips. Those tests were successful, but the problem is how to feed those neurons. If the fungi's intelligence is based on the enzyme-protein interactions that get their power from mitochondria. That would make it possible to make a so-called "dry protein processor".

In that case, those proteins and enzymes are in non-organic jelly. And if those reactions are electrically controlled nano-size wires can control them. In a dry protein processor, the proteins and enzymes that make fungi "intelligent" fibers are separated from the cells, and transferred to artificial jelly where they interact with each other. Those things don't need nutrients. But living fungi cells can be used for that mission. 

That thing also makes it possible to create systems that can be used to program neurons. It's possible that fungi are one thing that can used for biological AI-processors. When we think about fungi and their interesting abilities to handle things, we must realize that the same process can offer the possibility to create something that we don't even imagine. 

Fungi and their special ability to remember and learn things cause situations in which we should re-estimate our way of thinking about intelligence. The fungi can make intelligent things without neurons, and that means that maybe somewhere live organisms that don't have neurons at all. 

When we think about things, like the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, SETI program the intelligent creature is determined to be a creature that has neurons. The ability to learn and make decisions without neurons is expected to be impossible. But fungi's ability to make decisions and learn things makes it possible to adjust that model. This thing makes those creatures more interesting than we expected. 

https://scitechdaily.com/no-brains-no-problem-the-surprising-intelligence-of-fungi/