No brain? No problem! Single-cell slime mould can learn

Scientists have discovered slime mould — a single-cell organism at the bottom of the food chain — can learn.
Key points:

Slime mould is a single-celled organism The mould learnt to cross a bridge that contained unpleasant substances to obtain food The findings could provide clues as to when and where in the tree of life learning evolved

The finding has important implications for understanding the evolution of intelligence, as well as how many organisms can be “smart” and successful without a brain.

Learning likely even predates the emergence of nervous systems, much less brains, according to a new study, which is published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

more…

Dr Dussutour, co-author of the current study, said bacteria may also be capable of learning.

CrazyNeutrino said:

Dr Dussutour, co-author of the current study, said bacteria may also be capable of learning.

Haven’t they found virus learn from each other about evolving traits to overcome substances designed (by us) to kill them.

Cymek said:

CrazyNeutrino said:

Dr Dussutour, co-author of the current study, said bacteria may also be capable of learning.

Haven’t they found virus learn from each other about evolving traits to overcome substances designed (by us) to kill them.

This is not what “learn” normally means.

Plants can learn, as well. I’ve no idea how the nerve network in a plant operates.