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Published on: May 8, 2021
Hierarchical self-organization in the finitary process soup
Olof Görnerup1, James P Crutchfield
1Department of Physical Resource Theory, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden. olof.gornerup@fy.chalmers.se
Artificial Life
|May 21, 2008
Summary
Organismal complexity arises from hierarchical organization, not just gene count. This study shows that complex structures emerge spontaneously through a process favoring general individuals in a population.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Systems biology
- Theoretical biology
Background:
- Organismal character diversity is not directly proportional to gene count across species.
- Existing genomic analyses do not fully explain the wide range of functional and behavioral traits observed.
- A gap exists in understanding the drivers of biological complexity beyond genetic information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that hierarchical organization drives organismal character diversity.
- To explore the role of structural complexity in evolutionary processes.
- To provide a quantitative framework for analyzing the emergence of complexity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the finitary process soup model for mathematical and quantitative analysis.
- Simulated population dynamics to observe the emergence of structural complexity.
- Analyzed the conditions favoring the development and maintenance of hierarchical structures.
Main Results:
- Global complexity in the finitary process soup arises from successively higher levels of organization.
- Hierarchical structures emerge spontaneously within the model.
- Structural innovation is promoted by the presence of relatively noncomplex, generalist individuals.
Conclusions:
- Hierarchical organization is a key factor in generating organismal diversity.
- Spontaneous emergence of structure and the role of generalist individuals are critical for evolutionary innovation.
- The finitary process soup model offers insights into the quantitative dynamics of biological complexity.
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