In this blog post, we will look at the coexistence of organisms and the dynamic balance of ecosystems through the simple game of rock-paper-scissors.
Rock, paper, scissors! The outcome of the game depends on what you choose to throw, but the real thrill of the game is that there is no permanent winner or loser. Although it is a simple game, rock-paper-scissors is more than just a game; it is an interesting social experiment that reflects human psychology and strategy. We unconsciously predict the behavior of others and adjust our choices based on this prediction, and this process provides important clues to understanding human thinking and decision-making processes. A study has attracted attention that this endless game of rock-paper-scissors can be a model for explaining biodiversity.
A research team observed the rock-paper-scissors relationship in the competition for proliferation among three different groups of E. coli inhabiting the intestines of animals. This study goes beyond simple experimental observations and plays an important role in explaining complex biological interactions. In particular, “Group C” produces a toxin called colicin, and “Group S” multiplies at a faster rate than other groups, but its proliferation is inhibited by colicin. “Group R” has a faster growth rate than ‘Group C’ and slower than ‘Group S,’ while being resistant to colistin. This interaction helps us understand how organisms in a particular ecosystem can influence and coexist with each other. In biological systems, species do not simply compete with each other, but complex interactions create opportunities to help each other survive. If two groups from each of the three groups are mixed and cultured, the difference in the rate of propagation will result in a clear victory or defeat in the competition for propagation between the groups. On the other hand, if the three groups are cultured in close proximity to each other, the boundary between each of the two groups will show a unilateral invasion of territory, but as a result, a coexistence relationship between the three groups will be observed, similar to the rock-paper-scissors relationship. This phenomenon goes beyond simple competition and suggests the possibility of mutual balance and coexistence.
Another research team administered three E. coli populations to the intestines of mice and then looked at the competition for dominance between each population. What is particularly noteworthy here is that, despite the dominance of one population at a certain point in time, the dominant population changed over time. This suggests that no species can dominate an ecosystem forever, and shows how important the ability to adapt to constantly changing environments is for the survival of living organisms. An ecosystem is not a static system, but a dynamic system that is constantly changing and evolving. As a result, a species may gain dominance in a particular environment, but over time, its position will be shaken, and competition will begin again as other species adapt to the new environment. This also means that three groups can exist as dominant groups at the same time in different isolated spaces. This dynamic change is also an important mechanism for maintaining biodiversity.
The above case is cited as a good example to show that there may be no absolute strongman in an ecosystem. In the natural world, new ecological balances are formed with constant change. Among the ways to explain competition between organisms, the rock-paper-scissors relationship, which shows the possibility of coexistence of three parties, may be a more suitable model for explaining biodiversity than the relationship between two parties with a clear winner and loser. This goes beyond a biological model and provides useful insights into understanding the various competitive and cooperative structures of human society. In human society, certain forces may temporarily gain the upper hand, but new forces will emerge over time as the environment and conditions change. In this context, the principle of rock-paper-scissors can be established as an important concept that can be applied to various social, economic, and political situations.
