How do midichlorians work? If they are throughout the entire body, then how do they enable a person (or object in rare cases) to be just that-Force sensitive? How does it allow a person to sense the Force, its will, and then to act upon it? These are questions that have plagued the minds of many deep thinkers.

Again, the answers may not be as far away as one might think. In fact, we need look no further than our own nervous system. The system of nerves and nerve impulses within our bodies is quite impressive. Actually, there are three basic types of nerve cells or neurons-sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons. Interneurons are CNS neurons. Their axons and dendrites (the sending and receiving systems of the neuron, respectively) are within the central nervous system (CNS) and form the brain and spinal cord These cells may send impulses up to the brain for input and direction. A sensory neuron is a cell whose body and dendrites are outside of the CNS, and the axon travels to the CNS. A motor neuron is one in which the cell body and dendrites are in the CNS, but the axon travels outside the CNS to another part of the body. Interneurons connect the sensory neurons and the motor neurons and also give rise to higher processes. Of course for full function, all parts of the nervous system must function as a unit.

It is quite possible that midichlorians behave in a somewhat similar way. It has been shown that many sensitive to the Force have strengths and weaknesses. A prime example, is that of Corran Horn. Corran's strengths are along the sensory pathways. He has a finely tuned danger sense, and has an ability uncommon to Force users-energy absorption or deflection. In contrast, his ability to actively use the Force is limited. He has almost no telekinetic ability, however he does have a the ability known as "Alter Mind." In fact, it is interesting that in the book I, Jedi, a very similar statement is made in regards to Force use.

Page 128, paperback version:

"Jedi skills in the Force are rooted in three area. Control is internal. It is the Jedi's ability to recognize the Force in himself and to use it to his benefit. Sense involves the next step, in which the Jedi recognizes the Force in the universe outside herself. Here she feels the Force and is able to draw upon it for information about the world around her. Through it is she is connected to the rest of the universe. Alter is the third and most difficult area to master, for it involves the student's ability to modify the Force and redistribute its energies. Through these skills, the Jedi can influence the universe, making changes as needed to accomplish its goals.
"The power known as Alter Mind bridges all these skill areas. Through it a Jedi can project her perception of reality into the mind of another, or an illusion or conclusion that she needs the other to hold as true. This is a most magnificent and useful power, but it is also one fraught with danger. Bending the will of another for a benign purpose can be noble and good. The dark side lurks nearby in this power, so it should be used with caution."

Of course, the midichlorian network must be far more fluid than that of the nervous system, to be present in every cell and the blood too. This network would form a web of sorts. So, how do the midichlorians communicate? This again can be seen using the nervous system as a model. Nerves emit electrical impulses that travel from one neuron to the next. This communication triggers the next neuron in line and so on, until some action results. So too, the impulses sent by the midichlorians are the connection between the physical and the Force.

How does one person sense someone or something else? By means of the same system. While some midichlorians may be specialized to sense things outside of the body, it is also possible that just as there is a network of midichlorians within the body, that each individual forms a network between each other. That could indicate how a person can sense through empty space. Although there may be nothing physically in the area, the connections between people, places and things are present in the Force. These connections are bent, just as the gravity of one mass affects the movement of the other. So it is that no one is truly alone.

But is midichlorian concentration enough? Why did the Jedi Counsel have to test Anakin if his concentration was so unusually high? There must be another factor that plays an important part-the nub.

What is this nub and how does it work? My next blog will address this subject in depth.