Sensory fusion in Physarum polycephalum and implementing multi-sensory functional computation.
Surface electrical potential and observational growth recordings were made of a protoplasmic tube of the slime mould Physarum polycephalum in response to a multitude of stimuli with regards to sensory fusion or multisensory integration. Each stimulus was tested alone and in combination in order to evaluate for the first time the effect that multiple stimuli have on the frequency of streaming oscillation. White light caused a decrease in frequency whilst increasing the temperature and applying a food source in the form of oat flakes both increased the frequency. Simultaneously stimulating P. polycephalum with light and oat flake produced no net change in frequency, while combined light and heat stimuli showed an increase in frequency smaller than that observed for heat alone. When the two positive stimuli, oat flakes and heat, were combined, there was a net increase in frequency similar to the cumulative increases caused by the individual stimuli. Boolean logic gates were derived from the measured frequency change.
Unconventional Computing Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. Electronic address: James.whiting@uwe.ac.uk.
James G H
JG
Whiting
Unconventional Computing Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK; Institute of Biosensing Technology, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
Ben P J
BP
de Lacy Costello
Unconventional Computing Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
Andrew
A
Adamatzky
D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005502:Food; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D016839:Physarum polycephalum / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature
Biocomputing; Boolean logic; Multisensory integration; Physarum polycephalum; Sensory fusion