Memory without the brain and nervous system

Australian scientists have proof that the "stupid" one-celled organisms, such as slime mold, still have some form of memory.
In the course of scientific experiments conducted on slime mold Physarum polycephalum, scientists from the University of Sydney noted that slime mold can avoid obstacles, get out of the traps. On this basis, the researchers suggested that the slime mold is used to navigate the external spatial memory.
Biologist Christopher Reid (Chris Reid): «Towards a slime mold movement leaves a trail of slime, which serves as a detector that helps identify" passed "the place" Thus, to confirm this theory, the researchers placed Physarum polycephalum in the U-shaped trap. On a clean surface of 96% of the sample were able to pass the trap and find the sugar within 120 hours, and they never came back to the already completed and slimy areas. But when the surface is covered with a layer of mucus, Physarum polycephalum were unable to recognize their tracks, only a third of the organisms reached the target within the set time limit, although in this case, the body will return to the sectors covered
The researchers hypothesized that Physarum polycephalum can respond and recognize slime left by other species.
Christopher Reid noted that the external memory space, characteristic of primitive organisms that will allow scientists to address some issues, such as those associated with the evolution of memory. In addition, further study of these mechanisms will enable engineers and programmers to improve the system to overcome the obstacles in robots.
"Single-celled organisms are continually surprised scientists with their ability ... They are such wonderful creatures that make to revise our understanding of intelligence"Thus, to confirm this theory, the researchers placed Physarum polycephalum in the U-shaped trap. On a clean surface of 96% of the sample were able to pass the trap and find the sugar within 120 hours, and they never came back to the already completed and slimy areas. But when the surface is covered with a layer of mucus, Physarum polycephalum were unable to recognize their tracks, only a third of the organisms reached the target within the set time limit, although in this case, the body will return to the sectors covered
The researchers hypothesized that Physarum polycephalum can respond and recognize slime left by other species.
Christopher Reid noted that the external memory space, characteristic of primitive organisms that will allow scientists to address some issues, such as those associated with the evolution of memory. In addition, further study of these mechanisms will enable engineers and programmers to improve the system to overcome the obstacles in robots.
"Single-celled organisms are continually surprised scientists with their ability ... They are such wonderful creatures that make to revise our understanding of intelligence"