Perception and Recognition of Friends and Foes

A simulation exploring various models of gene-based perception and recognition between cells. Each model represents a unique combination of genes: one set involved in perceiving a neighbour and another set responsible for recognizing the neighbour as Friend or Foe

Perception and Recognition

The simulation models two types of interactions between cells: perception and recognition. Perception determines whether a cell can detect a neighbour, while recognition classifies the detected neighbour as a friend or foe.

Depending on the selected model, a cell compares a specific gene with a particular gene of a neighbour to determine whether the neighbour is perceivable. If the neighbour is detected, the cell then compares its gene with the neighbour's gene to assess whether the neighbour is a friend or foe.

Gene comparison is performed using a lenient method, where the probability of a match decreases as the genetic difference increases. Based on the neighbour’s classification, fitness is gained, lost.

Cell Attributes and Life Cycle

Cell Properties

Four Circular Genes (A, B, C, D, 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. Not perceived friends don't affect fitness. Not perceived foes double the amount of fitness exchanged.
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 Perception, Single-Gene Recognition
- pAA - rAA: Self-recognition (same gene).
- pAA - rBB: Other-recognition (different gene).
Type 2: Single-Gene Perception, Dual-Gene Recognition
- pAA - rAB: Partial match.
- pAA - rBC: Complete mismatch.
Type 3: Dual-Gene Perception, Single-Gene Recognition
- pAB - rCC: Complete mismatch.
- pAC - rCC: Partial match.
Type 4: Dual-Gene Perception, Dual-Gene Recognition
- pAB - rAB: Self-recognition (same gene pair).
- pAB - rBC: Partial match.
- pAB - rCD: Recognition of a different gene pair.