Biological ageing: A bit-string model with fertility and fecundity

As organisms age, chances of continued survival and reproduction decrease. Statistical mechanics and computer simulation methods coupled with populati on genetics theories are used in Monte Carlo simulation models of biologica l ageing. In recent years such models have combined Darwinistic selection a nd the accumulation of age-specific deleterious mutations to explain the ex istence of ageing in populations. We present a bit-string model which inclu des a mutation induced decrease in fecundity and fertility. The effects of variable fertility due to accumulated deleterious mutations on various meas ures of ageing are computed from the simulation of our model.