SUPRACELLULAR-LEVEL INTERACTIONS IN THE POPULATIONS OF MICROORGANISMS

This paper is concerned with the biopolitical implications of the inte ractions among microorganisms in a population. From the microbiologica l data on morphogenesis in myxomycete and myxobacterial populations an d on the colonial macrostructure in Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia col i, and other bacteria it is concluded that the concepts of aggression, isolation, cooperation, affiliation, etc. are applicable to microbial populations. The genetic, biochemical, and behavioral mechanisms of s ocial system formation, the sociality concept, and its criteria in lig ht of the reciprocal stimulation/blockage hypothesis are considered.