Artificial life studies behave in a much similar nature. By programming a computer with a simple algorithm we can get it to behave in quite fascinating ways. If you have java enabled, the graphic above is a great example. Conway's game of life is played on a grid or two dimensional array. The rules are quite simple.
Every square is referred to as a cell.
A cell's neighbors are the 8 squares surrounding that cell. A cell can either be referred to as alive or dead. Dead cells are traditionally white, live cells black. If a live cell has two or three neighbors it will remain alive on the next iteration. If it has less than two neighbors it is said to die of loneliness, If it has three or more neighbors it is said to die of overcrowding.