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Conjecture 1.3: Membrane interfaces serve as sensors, actuators, or both

Establish that each membrane interface in a cell—including ion channels, cilia, and receptors—is evolved to function either as a sensor for particular problems, as an actuator that participates in resolving such problems, or as a combined sensor–actuator.

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Background

The authors emphasize the multifunctional roles of membrane structures in sensing and actuation. Ion channels, receptors, and ciliary structures are framed as mechanisms for detecting deviations (e.g., ionic imbalances, mechanical stress) and for enacting corrections via transport or motility.

This conjecture underpins their claim that cellular adaptations (e.g., receptor/channel expression changes) are tuned to problem resolution rather than information extraction per se.

References

Conjecture 1.3: Each membrane interface in a cell, such as a channel, cilia, or receptor, is evolved either as part of a sensor for some problems, an actuator with which to resolve such problems, or both.

— A Foundational Theory for Decentralized Sensory Learning (2503.15130 - Mårtensson et al., 19 Mar 2025) in Conjecture 1.3, Section “Sensory minimization in unicellular and other microorganisms” (Introduction)