Homeostasis as the Chemical Basis of Consciousness

摘要

The general task of homeostasis, life and consciousness is to survive. Damage to the cells provokes turning on of homeostasis in them, causes an elementary negative sensation and an attempt to recover. The tension of homeostatic compensation can lead to the generation of action, corresponds to conscious decision-making and looks like a desire for life. We are developing here the idea of the connection between homeostasis and consciousness (Tsitolovsky, 2015). This makes it possible to simulate sensation, motivation, free decision making, to estimate elements of experience and to model personality. The most likely self defense tool may be chemical processes in cells, of which little is known. We explained neuron homeostasis and consciousness on the basis of imaginary, but possible chemical reactions that begin at the synapses, continue in the cytoplasm, leave traces of memory and are able to influence the decision of the neuron. Wherever possible, we tried to simplify the events taking place in living tissue, but in such a way as not to lose its function: the ability to autonomous, goal-directed behavior in an unfamiliar environment. We managed to explain many of the paradoxical properties of consciousness, which can be a collective manifestation of the elementary sensations of neurons.