Do Cells Have Memory? Exploring the Vital Role of Cells in Life

Recent research suggests that single cells, including nonneural ones, can remember and learn from their experiences, challenging traditional views that memory requires a nervous system. Experiments with cells like kidney cells and ciliates show they can differentiate patterns and retain information over time, indicating a form of cellular memory that may be evolutionarily ancient and fundamental to life. This emerging understanding prompts a reevaluation of what memory is across biological systems.