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{{Era|TF|H1|H2|H3}}
{{Status|Canon}}
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[[File:Flood Super Cell.jpg|thumb|The Flood super cell in a study.]]
 
The '''LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell''', often referred to using the acronym '''FSC''', is an undifferentiated cell type that serves as the basis of all [[Flood]] biomass.<ref name="bestiarum">'''[[Bestiarum]]'''</ref>
The '''{{PAGENAME}}'''<ref>http://imagewtf.com/658/free-image-hosting/</ref>, often referred to using the acronym '''FSC''', is an undifferentiated cell type that serves as the basis of all [[Flood]] biomass.


==Biology==
==Biology==
[[File:Flood Super Cell.jpg|thumb|The Flood super cell in a study.]]
[[File:Flood Cell Division.jpg|thumb|left|Flood Super Cells performing [[Wikipedia:Cell division|Cell division]] inside of a host.]]
The Flood Super Cell is often described as ''"thinking muscle"'', and closely resembles both neurons and glial cells in terms of its physical structure.<ref>[[Bestiarum]]</ref> The Flood have demonstrated on numerous occasions that they have the ability to arrange these cells to mimic any organ that may be needed. Apparently, it is also capable of intelligent discourse with artificial intelligences, such as [[Mendicant Bias]].
The Flood Super Cell is often described as ''"thinking muscle"'', and closely resembles both neurons and glial cells in terms of its physical structure.{{Ref/Reuse|bestiarum}} The Flood have demonstrated on numerous occasions that they have the ability to arrange these cells to mimic any organ that may be needed. In addition to this ability, the Flood Super Cell has a wide repertoire of additional abilities, which culminates in the creation of a [[Gravemind]] and a fully-developed [[Flood hive]]. In these latter stages of an outbreak, the Flood is able to spontaneously generate the FSC in its effort to alter the environment into a more suitable one for its growth.<ref name="wp flood">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/flood '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Flood'']</ref>


An important capability essential to the Flood's survival is its ability to convert other life forms into more Flood cells, which can be used in a wide variety of ways. This is accomplished via the Flood Super Cells attaching themselves to the target's cells, and transferring its genetic material into its target, transforming it into another Flood cell. This converted cell then spreads the Flood's DNA to other cells, and this generates a chain-reaction of transformation until the target is fully converted.
An important capability essential to the Flood's survival is its ability to convert other life forms into more Flood cells, which can be used in a wide variety of ways. The Flood Super Cells capture and interface with the host's cells, which are quickly metabolized, broken down, analyzed, and reassembled into more Flood Cells that mirror the function of the target's cells.<ref>'''[[Art of Halo 3]]''', ''page 26''</ref> This process is rapid and continuous, with the end result being that the host's biomass is largely overtaken by the newly-generated Flood biomass.<ref>'''[[The Art of Halo]]: Creating a Virtual World''', ''page 48''</ref>


When first inserted into a victim, primarily by the [[Infection Form]], the Flood cells are in an encapsulated "spore" state before they become active in the victim.<ref>[[Halo:Combat Evolved]], ''[[The Library]]'' Level.</ref>
When first inserted into a victim, primarily by the [[Pod infector|infection form]], the Flood cells are in an encapsulated [[Flood spore|"spore"]] state before they become active in the victim.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[The Library]]''</ref>


==History==
==Trivia==
The [[Gravemind]] was the entity that communicated with the [[Forerunner]] [[AI]] [[032 Mendicant Bias]] during the [[Forerunner-Flood War]] to convince it into [[rampancy]] and to turn it into a weapon against the Forerunners, using the Flood super cell to initiate communications. For a time, Mendicant Bias took faith in the Gravemind, believing the Forerunners were obstinate, unyielding, and blocking evolution's progress in the galaxy. However, after the firing of the [[Halo Array]], Mendicant Bias realized how far he had fallen and denounced the Flood, pleading for the forgiveness of the [[Spartan-117|Reclaimer]] in order to redeem his actions against his long-lost creators.
*The Flood Super Cell shows remarkable similarities to the alien life form in the 1982 film ''[[wikipedia:The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]''. The cells of this alien being interface with and analyze the cells of its victim, and simultaneously consume them, shaping the resulting biomass to be a perfect replica of the victim. Similar to the Flood, the alien can reconstruct the matter of the victim in any way it chooses, and is not something that can be cured, like a disease.
*The Flood Super Cell's ability to consume and facilitate the use of an organism as an environment for its own prosperity closely parallels the abilities of real world microorganisms, specifically those of the [[wikipedia:agrobacterium|Agrobacterium]] genus. This genus of bacteria utilizes [[wikipedia:Horizontal gene transfer|horizontal gene transfer]], to insert harmful DNA into target plants, generating tumors that create an environment in which the bacteria can thrive.


==Trivia==
==List of appearances==
*The Flood Super Cell is most likley based off of the 1982 film, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(film) The Thing.] This alien cell is in fact a replica of what it once was; a perfect copy which can take over (via changing the cell) and mimic any other organism. The only differences are that the cell in the movie can mimic any organism perfectly. The alien can reconstruct the matter of the victim however it chooses, similar to the Flood's biomass. Also, just like the Flood, there is no known cure.
*''[[Iris]]'' {{1st}}
*The Thing also has [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0202966/ Keith David] (voice of [[Thel 'Vadamee|The Arbiter]]) playing one of the American reaserchers in the movie.
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*The Flood Super Cell's ability to transfer its genetic material into the cells of its target closely mirrors that of real-world viruses and even some bacteria, specifically those of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrobacterium] genus. Viruses, in the process of reproducing through a cell's molecular machinery, occasionally leave behind code that changes the cell's DNA instead of destroying it. Also, Agrobacteria utilize a similar process, specifically [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizontal Gene Transfer], to insert harmful DNA into plants, causing tumors.
**''[[Terminal (Halo 3)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' {{mo}}
**[[Awakening the Nightmare| Awakening the Nightmare DLC]]
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
**''[[Season 04: Infection]]'' {{Mo}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
*[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084787/ Internet Movie Database]
{{Ref/Sources}}
<references/>
{{Flood}}
[[Category:The Flood]]
[[Category:Flood]]

Latest revision as of 09:04, October 19, 2023

The Flood super cell in a study.

The LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell, often referred to using the acronym FSC, is an undifferentiated cell type that serves as the basis of all Flood biomass.[1]

Biology[edit]

Flood Super Cells performing Cell division inside of a host.

The Flood Super Cell is often described as "thinking muscle", and closely resembles both neurons and glial cells in terms of its physical structure.[1] The Flood have demonstrated on numerous occasions that they have the ability to arrange these cells to mimic any organ that may be needed. In addition to this ability, the Flood Super Cell has a wide repertoire of additional abilities, which culminates in the creation of a Gravemind and a fully-developed Flood hive. In these latter stages of an outbreak, the Flood is able to spontaneously generate the FSC in its effort to alter the environment into a more suitable one for its growth.[2]

An important capability essential to the Flood's survival is its ability to convert other life forms into more Flood cells, which can be used in a wide variety of ways. The Flood Super Cells capture and interface with the host's cells, which are quickly metabolized, broken down, analyzed, and reassembled into more Flood Cells that mirror the function of the target's cells.[3] This process is rapid and continuous, with the end result being that the host's biomass is largely overtaken by the newly-generated Flood biomass.[4]

When first inserted into a victim, primarily by the infection form, the Flood cells are in an encapsulated "spore" state before they become active in the victim.[5]

Trivia[edit]

  • The Flood Super Cell shows remarkable similarities to the alien life form in the 1982 film The Thing. The cells of this alien being interface with and analyze the cells of its victim, and simultaneously consume them, shaping the resulting biomass to be a perfect replica of the victim. Similar to the Flood, the alien can reconstruct the matter of the victim in any way it chooses, and is not something that can be cured, like a disease.
  • The Flood Super Cell's ability to consume and facilitate the use of an organism as an environment for its own prosperity closely parallels the abilities of real world microorganisms, specifically those of the Agrobacterium genus. This genus of bacteria utilizes horizontal gene transfer, to insert harmful DNA into target plants, generating tumors that create an environment in which the bacteria can thrive.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Bestiarum
  2. ^ Halo Waypoint: Flood
  3. ^ Art of Halo 3, page 26
  4. ^ The Art of Halo: Creating a Virtual World, page 48
  5. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level The Library