Physics of Biology

Emergence of Diverse Structures and Functions from a State Transition Function Facilitating Origin and Replication of the Byl Replicator.

Authors: Perry W. Swanborough
Comments: 14 Pages.

Replication of the John Byl cellular automata replicator (1989) and its origin from an isolated cell in an oriented state requires 183 explicit state transition rules, but the corresponding state-set inclusive of eight unoriented active states {1,2,3,4,5,L,E,F} and one oriented active state (^) prescribes a vast number of possible state transition functions supporting the replicator and its origin, each containing 93,262 explicit state transition rules. The particular state transition function supporting the origin and replication of the replicator, with all other 93,262 — 183 = 93,079 rules prescribing state conservation (neighbourhood CNESW - - > C’ = C), supports the appearance and development of structures and functions additional to appearance and replication of replicator structures. For abiogenesis, these results suggest the possibility that interactions of ancient replicators with each other and with coexisting persistent structures enabled the subsequent appearance of containment (membranes), metabolism and information processing, thereby founding ancestral life.
Category: Physics of Biology