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Biosemiosis and the Cellular Basis of Mind

How the Oxidation of Glucose by Individual Neurons in Brain Results in Meaningful Communications and in the Emergence of “Mind”

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Abstract

The human brain is a complex organ made up of neurons and several other cell types, and whose role is processing information for use in elicitation of behaviors. To accomplish this, the brain requires large amounts of energy, and this energy is obtained by the oxidation of glucose (Glc). However, the question of how the oxidation of Glc by individual neurons in brain results in their collective ability to rapidly generate feats of cognition that allow them to recognize the nature of the universe in which they live and to communicate this information remains unclear. In this article, insights into this process are provided by first considering the brain’ s homeostatic “operating system” for supply of energy to stimulated neurons, and how this system defines the basic unit of brain “structure”. This is followed by consideration of the brain’s “two-cell” neuronal communication mechanism which defines the basic unit of brain “function”. Finally, an analysis of the nature of frequency-encoded “neuronal languages” that enable ensembles of neurons to translate energy derived from the oxidation of Glc into a collective “mind”, the aggregate of all brain processes including those involving perception, thought, insight, foresight, imagination and behavior.

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Abbreviations

Ac:

acetate

AcCoA:

acetyl coenzyme A

ADP:

adenosine di-phosphate

Asp:

aspartate

ATP:

adenosine tri-phosphate

AQP4:

aquaporin 4

ASPA:

aspartoacylase

BBB:

blood brain barrier

DSD:

dendritic-synaptic-dendritic

ECF:

extracellular fluid

EMS:

electromagnetic spectrum

Gj :

gap junction

Glc:

glucose

Glu:

glutamate

GRM3:

metabotropic Glu receptor 3

Hz:

Hertz

NAA:

N-acetylaspartate

NAAG:

N-acetylaspartylglutamate

P:

pause

Phos:

phosphate

S:

spike

Syn :

synapse

Tj :

tight junction

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Center for Neurochemistry, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA

    Morris H. Baslow

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  1. Morris H. Baslow
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Correspondence to Morris H. Baslow.

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Baslow, M.H. Biosemiosis and the Cellular Basis of Mind. Biosemiotics 4, 39–53 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12304-010-9106-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12304-010-9106-9

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