Alex Rivera | Logout

Do hash functions exist in nature?

Asked 2010-03-13T11:41:45.390
18

Given that there are quite a few bioinformaticians around these days, wondering if any of you have seen examples of hash functions (or mapping mechanisms) occuring in nature? And if so how do they work?

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On a more humorous note, I would say that the nervous and sensory systems of most or all animals might be seen a hash function designed to divide things into:

  1. things to mate with
  2. things to eat
  3. things to run away from
  4. rocks.

Kudos to Terry Pratchett for identifying this elaborate system of categories. ;)

answered 2010-03-13T13:21:27.230

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