THE SIZE OF GENETIC PROGRAMS VERSUS THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AND ADAPTABILITY.
Abstract
Organisms are programmed by their genes. The size of the genetic program is related to the complexity of the organism. Greater complexity can give a competitive advantage in solving the complex problems of existence and survival. Each inborn capability: Precoordinated muscle movements, an innate communications system, an inborn 'knowledge' about the environment, etc., has a genetic cost. The latter is defined as the minimum size of the genetic program that must be provided to organize the capabilities in question. There is a selective pressure towards larger and larger genetic programs. On the other hand, there is a selective pressure for quick adaptability to environmental changes, and it is shown that this adaptability is (roughly) inversely proportional to the size of the genetic program. Thus a compromise between innate capabilities and adaptability is necessary. Estimates of the genetic cost of various capabilities are given with special attention to muscle control. Imprinting, learning, and self-organization are discussed in the context of reducing the genetic cost. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0659198
Entities
People
- Hans J. Bremermann
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley