A Simple Genetic Algorithm for Studies of Mendelian Populations

Abstract

Evolutionary processes and the dynamics of Mendelian populations result from the complex interactions of organisms with other organisms and with their environment. Through simulations of virtual organisms the basic dynamics of these populations can be emulated. A conceptual model is used to define the universe, the hierarchical structures and a small set of rules that govern the basic behaviour of these virtual populations. At the organism level a simple genetic algorithm is used to model the genotype of the entities and Mendelian genetic processes. The model is implemented in an educational simulator called Sigex. From a small set of low level rules at organism level, higher-order population and environmental interactions emerge that are in accordance to those postulated by the theory of population genetics.