Emergence simulation of cell-like morphologies with evolutionary potential by virtual molecular interactions

Abstract

This study explores the emergence of life through a simulation model approach. The model "Multi-set chemical lattice model" is a model that allows virtual molecules of multiple types to be placed in each lattice cell on a two-dimensional space. This model is capable of describing a wide variety of states and interactions in a limited number of lattice cell spaces, such as diffusion, chemical reaction, and polymerization of virtual molecules. This model is also capable of describing a wide variety of states and interactions even in the limited lattice cell space of 100 x 100 cells. Furthermore it was considered energy metabolism and energy resources environment. It was able to reproduce the "evolution" in which a certain cell-like shapes adapted to the environment survives under conditions of decreasing amounts of energy resources in the environment. This enabled the emergence of cell-like shapes with the four minimum cellular requirements: boundary, metabolism, replication, and evolution, based solely on the interaction of virtual molecules.