Origins of the cellular biosphere

Abstract

Our basic axiom is “Life is a semiotic category,” that is, living beings are able to decipher signs and grasp their meaning, and to behave according to their memory, experience, and momentary context. Semiosis requires memory and experience of both individuals, lineages, and the whole biosphere. First, we demonstrate this by developing on the concept of “umwelt,” by understanding it as historical memory and as the experience of individuals or their assemblages (i.e., not only what is manifested here and now). This leads us to the idea of mutual understanding (to some extent) of all life in the biosphere. We discuss the means of message transmission in terms of both the intracellular protein ecosystem and the biospheric web, as well as the mutual influences of such systems. Hence, evolution of life and its biospheric web is rooted in universal protocols maintained by the mutual efforts of all biosphere dwellers.