We also need to define the function that describes the regulatory interaction between the genes that can be either Boolean, continuous, or stochastic. Then take an initial value set and observe how the system will behave when left alone. All that remains to be done is to make sense out of these observations. Boolean genetic network models offer a good starting point for two reasons. First, it is easier to understand the basic concepts through them.
Time is discrete, and all genes are updated simultaneously.
The wiring diagram is shown in the top panel of Fig. 2. The no. of inputs and the pertaining decimal rule are shown underneath each wiring diagram. The middle panel shows a point attractor, its basin of attraction including 5 states. The basins of attraction cover all 8 possible states of the system. The labeled series of state transitions is one of many trajectories converging on the repeating, six-state attractor pattern.