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University of Oregon Biology Software Lab Cumulative Selection - Sample Investigation |
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This sample investigation using Cumulative Selection explores the affect of mutation rate on evolution. The student has chosen "GALAPAGOS" as a target phrase. There are four "parent" strings, each producing ten offspring. Of each set of ten, those closest to the target are allowed to reproduce. In Figure 1, the mutation rate is set at 5%, and the target phrase is reached in only 58 generations. In Figure 2, the mutation rate has been changed to 25%, and now it has taken 138 generations to reach the target phrase. In Figure 3, the mutation rate has jumped to 50%, and after 1000 generations the target has still not been reached. The columns at the right of the display represent the current "distance from the target." Every tenth generation is displayed here; this can be changed as well. |
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Figure 1. Mutation rate is 5%
Figure 2. Mutation rate is 25%
Figure 3. Mutation rate is 50%
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last update October 15, 1999 (udovic@oregon.uoregon.edu)