| Summary: | Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. === ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis gives a broad overview of what artificial chemistries (ACs) are, a
brief review of several ACs and their applications, and an in depth analysis
of one speci c AC: the four-bit binary string system. The model designed
by Banzhaf [1] for in silico examination was recreated using the Python
programming language. The initial motivation was to identify an existing
AC that could be used to elucidate the sequence-function relationship,
which led to the simultaneous investigation of self-organization in AC systems
[7]. The interest in sequence-function relationships stems from their
importance for self-production of objects [35]. For self-replication to be
possible in larger organizations, the components of the organization must
be able to continuously produce themselves [3, 7]. We chose the four-bit
binary string system for investigation because of its simple design and implementation,
its ability to yield complex results from interactions between
a small population of objects, and its analogy to the DNA{RNA{protein
organisation. When a population of objects are allowed to continuously interact,
self-production and self-organization occur, even in simple arti cial
systems [7, 8]. The stability of the emergent organizations depends on the
interactions of its components, which must be capable of self-production if
they are to maintain the organization [27]. Self-production of objects depends
on their sequence-function relationship, which determines their rate of replication when interacting with other objects. === AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis verskaf `n bree oorsig van die algemene aard van artifisiele
chemies (ACs), `n kort opsomming van `n paar ACs en hul toepassings, en
`n diepgaande analise van een spesifieke AC: die 4-bis binere stringstelsel.
Die model wat Banzhaf [1] ontwerp het vir in silico eksperimentering is
hier herskep in die Python programmeringstaal. Die aanvanklike motivering
was om `n bestaande AC te identifiseer wat gebruik kon word om die
sekwens-funksie verwantskap te ontrafel, en dit het gelei tot die gelyktydige
ondersoek van self-organisasie in AC stelsels [7]. Ons belangstelling
in sekwens-funksie verwantskappe spruit uit hul belang vir die selfproduksie
van objekte [35]. Om selfreplisering in meer omvangryke organisasies
moontlik te maak moet die komponente in staat wees om hulself eenstryk
te produseer [3, 7]. Ons het `n 4-bis stelsel vir hierdie studie gekies omdat
die ontwerp en implementering eenvoudig is, omdat interaksies binne `n
klein populasie van objekte komplekse resultate gee, en omdat die stelsel se
organisasie analoog aan die DNA-RNA-proteien organisasie is. Wanneer `n
populasie van objekte toegelaat word om eenstryk op mekaar te reageer vind
self-produksie en self-organisasie vanself plaas, selfs in eenvoudige artifsiele
stelsels [7, 8]. Die stabiliteit van die emergente organisasies hang af van
die interaksies tussen die komponente, wat self die vermoe tot selfproduksie
moet he indien hulle die organisasie in stand wil hou [27]. Selfproduksie van objekte hang af van hul sekwens-funsieverwantskap, wat op hul beurt
bepaal hoe vinnig hulle repliseer wanneer in interaksie met ander objekte.
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