Perception and Gene Diversity

A simulation exploring various models of gene-based perception between cells, with each model representing a distinct combination of a cell's genes involved in perceiving its neighbours.

Perception

The simulation employs different models to determine whether a cell can detect a neighbour. Depending on the selected model, a cell compares a specific set of genes with those of a neighbour in a particular manner to assess detectability. If the neighbour is detected, the cell gains or loses fitness, which is taken from or provided to the neighbour.

Gene comparison follows a lenient method in which the probability of a match decreases as the genetic difference increases.

Cell Attributes and Life Cycle

Cell Properties

Four Circular Genes (A, B, C, Z)
Fitness (0-255)
Age (+1 with each cycle)

Life Cycle

Fitness +1 for each neighbouring empty cell.
Fitness gain or loss from each neighbour depending on selected model (see below) and corresponding gene comparison matches.
At fitness >= 255 fitness is reduced to 255 minus random value in between 0 and 60.
At fitness >= 128 cell tries to reproduce, dividing fitness equally to offspring and parent.
Reproduction may fail if several cells try to divide into an empty cell. Winner is the offspring with the highest fitness.
During reproduction, there is a 1 in 10,000 chance that a cell mutates a gene, with a mutation range of ±64.
At fitness <= 0 or age > 40, the cell dies.

Interaction Models

Type 1: Single-Gene Comparison**
- pAB: The cell's gene A is compared to the neighbour's gene B.
Type 2: Two-Gene Comparisons**
- pAB-BC-AND: The cell's gene A is compared to the neighbour's gene B, and the cell's gene B is compared to the neighbour's gene C. The neighbour is perceived only when both comparisons match.
- pAB-BC-OR: The cell's gene A is compared to the neighbour's gene B, and the cell's gene B is compared to the neighbour's gene C. The neighbor is perceived if either of the two comparisons match.
Type 3: Three-Gene Comparisons**
- pAB-BC-CA-AND: The cell's gene A is compared to the neighbor's gene B, the cell's gene B is compared to the neighbour's gene C, and the cell's gene C is compared to the neighbor's gene A. The neighbor is perceived only when all three comparisons match.
- pAB-BC-CA-OR: The cell's gene A is compared to the neighbour's gene B, the cell's gene B is compared to the neighbor's gene C, and the cell's gene C is compared to the neighbour's gene A. The neighbour is perceived if any one of the three comparisons match.

Considerations

Does the length of the genome used in perception artificially enhance its dynamic characteristics?