Question

Genetic methods (genetic algorithms and evolutionary programming) store multiple solutions. These solutions form a population of members.

(a) True

(b) False

I have been asked this question during a job interview.

My doubt stems from Conformational Flexibility topic in chapter Predicting the Structure of Protein – Biomolecular Interactions of Bioinformatics

Answer 1

The correct answer is (a) True

To elaborate: Each member has an associated score or fitness. During the search for the global optimal solution successive new populations are created by a procedure involving selection of the fittest members. These members then have offspring to create a new population. Differences arise in how the methods generate offspring. In a genetic algorithm two solutions are mated to form a new offspring solution. In evolutionary programming each member of the population generates an offspring by mutation.