Movement controller

The previous experiment showed that an injury of the upper border bit generally initiates CA movement. Between CAI < 13 and CAI >3 the CA   moves downward. Since in its isolated state the CA is symmetric we may conclude that an injury of the lower border bit will drive it in the opposite direction.

The CA is controlled by the following buttons:
Plant : Plants a zygote. 
Shorter: Makes CA shorter
Longer: Makes CA longer 
Count at injury (CAI)  is a set point above which injury is triggered.
Count at injury+: (CAI+) Raise the set point count at which the CA is injured
Count at injury-:  (CAI-) Lower the set point count at which the CA is injured.
Move up: Is initiated by an injury of the lower border bit.
Move down: Is initiated by an injury of the upper border bit.

The experiment starts at CAI = 9 when the CA moves downward. Notice its repeating pattern which indicates that it maintains a solution (attractor). Click on ‘Move up’ the CA will create a different solution. Following a perturbation (here injury)  the CA will always attempt to create a solution  otherwise it may die. Initially we assumed that since the isolated CA is symmetric,  injury of the upper border bit will drive it downward and vice versa. You may notice that this applies also to some asymmetric states. 

Before   clicking on  the buttons in order to change the settings, make sure  that the CA maintains a solution. Interfering with it during a  transient may kill it. Nevertheless, don’t be discouraged since injuring  the CA during transients may force it to create novel solutions.

Remember the CA at CAI=18 which protected itself against injury by covering its injured side with a protective matrix. Repeat the experiment. Set CAI =18 and click on ‘move down”. After a while it will create the protective matrix. Now click on “move up’.