The CA is controlled by the following buttons:
Stop interact: Stops interaction between CA and obstacle. The
interaction state is displayed .
Shorter: Makes CA shorter.
Longer: Makes CA longer.
Plant CA: CA is planted.
The obstacle is controlled by the following buttons:
Upward: Moves obstacle upward. Its y-coordinate is displayed
as ycoord =.
Downward: Moves obstacle downward. Its y-coordinate is displayed
as ycoord =.
Hide obstacle:
When the applet is started a green obstacle is placed
at ycoord = 60. A zygote is planted and the CA starts growing. When
it matures it plants a new zygote and then dies. The new CA starts moving
upward (v CA sense organ). When reaching the
obstacle it sticks to it and changes its structure. Click on “Stop
interact”. The CA will move upward and start oscillating between
the two horizontal lines. Please remeber, only the first displayed CA
interacts, the rest are its memories.
CA resopnse depends on the obstacle site
In the following experiments, first change the obstacle position and
then click on “Plant CA” . If the CA adheres it may be rescued
by clicking Stop interact.
yacoord Response
60 Adhesion. In order to rescue it click on Stop
interact.
61 Moves upward after short interaction (sniffing)
62 Toxic -> CA dies
63 Moves upward after short interaction (sniffing)
64 No interaction (obstacle is ignored)
65 Adhesion. In order to rescue it click on Stop
interact.
66 Moves upward after short interaction (sniffing)
67 Toxic -> CA dies
68 Moves upward after short interaction (sniffing)
69 Adhesion. In order to rescue it click on Stop
interact.
70 Zygote dies and is replanted again. In order to
rescue it click on Stop interact.
CA behavior may be influenced also by moving the obstacle. You may repeat
this experiment after hiding the obstacle, Its position is displayed
as ycoord=.
At onset of the applet the CA is isolated and when
maturing, it plants a new zygote and then dies. The new CA starts moving
upward. While moving, its structure oscillates around its center
of mass. At each point the CA actually occupies an attractor
(solution), whose center of mass moves. At ycoord = 60 the CA runs into
the obstacle. After a brief perturbation it establishes a new solution
and oscillates around a new center of mass (attractor). It may be rescued
by clicking on Stop interact whereupon it will continue upward.
The CA remembers where it was heading before meeting the obstacle.
CA behavior will depend on the site of the obstacle:
1. Adhesion (ycoord= {60,65,69,70}
2. Death due to intoxication (ycoord= {62,67}
3. The CA sniffs the obstacle for a while and then continues upward
(ycoors = {61,63,66,68}.
4. No interaction. The CA ignores the obstacle (ycoord = 64)
Memory
As the CA interacts with the obstacle, we may move it and observe the
CA response. Whatever will happen as long as it exists the CA will
always remember where it was heading.
System attractor
Place the obstacle at ycoord=47 and plant the CA. It will move upward
and while moving it will oscillate around its center of mass. When hitting
the obstacle it will die and start again. Now observe the system
as a whole (CA and obstacle). It also oscillates around its center
of mass The system thus consists of three attractors:
1. The CA oscillation around its center of mass.
2. The obstacle which might be regarded as a trivial attractor.
3. CA movement and its response to the obstacle.
If you remove the obstacle and let the CA move undisturbed the
system attractor consists only of two attractors:
1. The CA oscillation around its center of mass
2. CA movement between the two horizontal lines v
CA sense organ )