Session Y29: Focus Session: Noise and Fluctuation in Biological Systems

8:00 AM–11:00 AM, Friday, March 17, 2006
Baltimore Convention Center - 326

Sponsoring Units: DBP DPOLY
Chair: Gabor Balazsi, Boston University

Abstract ID: BAPS.2006.MAR.Y29.10

Abstract: Y29.00010 : The Nature of Memory Objects in the Brain

10:12 AM–10:48 AM

Preview Abstract

Author:

  Pierre-Gilles de Gennes
    (Physico-Chime Institut Curie)

Our mind keeps a huge number of memories. We discuss here the number \textit{M} of neurons which must be implied in one primal memory object (the smell of a rose). We find that (in a storage area which is not genetically designed) spatial and connectivity requirements impose that \textit{M} be \textit{very small} (of the order of 3). We then extend these considerations to associative memories (where the smell of a rose evokes the color of a rose).

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2006.MAR.Y29.10