Journal article

Publication year: 2009

Pages: 1373-1384

Journal: The Science of nature = Naturwissenschaften

Volume number: 96

Issue number: 12

ISSN: 0028-1042

eISSN: 1432-1904

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-009-0591-0

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
The term “memory” applies not only to the preservation of information in
neuronal and immune systems but also to phenomena observed for example
in plants, single cells, and RNA viruses. We here compare the different
forms of information storage with respect to possible common features.
The latter may be characterized by selection of pre-existing information, activation
of memory systems often including transcriptional, and translational,
as well as epigenetic and genetic mechanisms, subsequent consolidation of the activated state in a latent form (standby mode), and reactivation
of the latent state of memory systems when the organism is exposed to
the same (or conditioned) signal or to previous selective constraints.
These features apparently also exist in the “evolutionary memory,” i.e.,
in evolving populations which have highly variable mutant spectra.

Harvard Citation style: Rensing, L., Koch, M. and Becker, A. (2009) A comparative approach to the principal mechanisms of different memory systems, The Science of nature = Naturwissenschaften, 96(12), pp. 1373-1384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-009-0591-0

APA Citation style: Rensing, L., Koch, M., & Becker, A. (2009). A comparative approach to the principal mechanisms of different memory systems. The Science of nature = Naturwissenschaften. 96(12), 1373-1384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-009-0591-0