Thus, bacteria operate by learning as well as by instinct. I have taught neuroanatomy since 1955 and in all that time have yet to see two identical human brains. Yet under the microscope, E. coli all look alike. Thus, I was stunned by another set of Koshland's observations. Despite identical genes, in spite of the same environment, individual E. coli acquire individual quirks and continue to display them for the rest of their lives.
Bacteria exhibit rudimentary personalities.
They exhibit traits that are determined by neither heredity nor environment but by chance. And when we start to talk of individuality, that brings a microbial mind very, very close to the realm of human experience. It's not a question of people and bacteria being the same thing. Nor does it seem likely that genetic engineers can exploit the phase lag in the bacteria's flagellar motor to manufacture human minds in the test tube. But the meek and the mighty perform similar tricks and display common principles.