Neuron Misproduction

Neuron misproduction ideas that spawned from this ask about iterators getting sick - maybe more along that line in the future?

Full transcript under the cut.

Neuron Misproduction

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Neuron flies are comparable to living RAM for iterators. Their purpose is to process short-term information.

They are mostly made out of fat. A high-calorie snack for a slugcat.

Simplified anatomy chart labels each part of the body:

a. Protective membrane (Encapsulates the neuron)

b. Nucleus. (Large ellipsoid at the top-center of the neuron.) Longer-term data caching; oldest data is lost when it is overwritten by new data or when the cache is flushed.

c. Processing organelles. (Several smaller ellipsoids that line the inside of the neuron's membrane.) Data is constantly and cyclically refreshed.

d. Anchoring/connective tissue between the nucleus and processing organelles.

e. Cytosol that provides structural integrity to the neuron fly, and facilitates storage and transport of various resources. (Fills all the extra space of the neuron)

f. Nutrient processing system. Neuron flies mostly function off direct energy transferral, but organic components are still necessary. Both are absorbed directly through other iterator macro-microorganisms. (Resembles a simplified digestive system)

g. Connective tissue between the nucleus and flagellum, used when directly interfacing with other iterator components. (Fibrous tissue surrounded by myelin sheaths, like an axon or the umbilical cord of an iterator)

h. Flagellum, primarily used for locomotion (Long whiplike protrusions on the bottom of the neuron fly)

i. Dendrites that unsheath when interfacing (Many tiny split ends at the end of the flagellum)

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Type: Flagellum deformation Neuron is missing some or all of its flagellum, and/or flagellum are uneven lengths

Not as deadly as spheroid neurons, but harder to detect by inspectors. Neurons without flagellum often cannot access other macro-microorganisms to interface with, and therefore gain resources from, so they usually die on their own. Can rarely cause clogs in single-row neuron transit or affect overall processing speed. A rising count of flagellum deformations may be an early indicator of issues with biological synthesis.

Neuron 1: Typical

Neuron 2: Very reduced flagellum with some shriveling

Neuron 3: Left flagellum forks into a second partially-formed flagellum. Right flagellum exhibits slight shriveling and fraying at the end.

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Type: Gutless body Neurons that often appear normal from the outside, but are missing essential internal components.

This neuron type can often be detected early through careful inspections. Often presents as a virtual husk, only capable of consuming energy and moving about.

Ironically, the nutrient processing system is sometimes enlarged, taking up more space where the other organelles are smaller or missing. This neuron type is relatively easy to remove when detected, and doesn't cause major issues other than resource consumption.

Neuron 1: Typical

Neuron 2: Enlarged nutrient processing system, no processing organelles, severely reduced nucleus

Neuron 3: All organelles are severely reduced, neuron is slimmer and mostly composed of cytosol

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Type: Spheroid Neuron's body length is significantly reduced, often resulting in a spheroid shape.

A spheroid neuron has warped or missing crucial internal structures. It is more dangerous than a gutless neuron due to still being able to process, and therefore corrupt, or result in the loss of information.

Not all neurons of this type are spheroid; it's just named after the common distinct shape. Many neurons of this type lack structural integrity, and do not make it past the production phase.

In a healthy iterator, faulty neurons are rare, and are usually recycled before they can even leave the production phase, or are otherwise destroyed by inspectors.

Mass production of spheroid neurons indicate severe internal issues. At that point, equipment and inspectors likely are failing to recognize faulty neurons or, worse, are indiscriminately destroying all of them. This encourages a stressful rapid production of neurons, which may lead to further equipment failure.

Due to neuron flies' major role in memory encoding and retrieval, neuron corruption can disrupt active processes and cause errors in data storage. In severe cases, affected neurons can corrupt the macro-microorganisms they interface with, and vice versa in a cascade effect, possibly leading to seizures and dementia.

Neuron 1: Typical

Neuron 2: Very round and flattened neuron. Nucleus is partially split and merged with a processing organelle. The rest of the cytoplasm is squished.

Neuron 3: Membrane is pinched into the neuron. Lacks a clear nucleus. Flagella connection is fused at one segment, forming an X-shape.

Neuron 4: Membrane is pinched and folded in several areas, resulting in an unusual asymmetric shape. Organelles are reduced and shoved into whatever space is available. Only one flagellum is connected.

Neuron 5: Membrane is overgrown on one side, leaving little space for the cytoplasm. The nutrient processing system is partially ingrown within the membrane.