Chemoreceptor
| Organelle Details | |
|---|---|
| Chemoreceptor |  |
| |
| Base Cost (MP) | 45 |
| Requires Nucleus | No |
| Processes | None |
| Enzymes | None |
| Size (Hexes) | 1 |
| Osmoregulation Cost | 1 |
| Storage | 0 |
| Unique | No |
| Upgrades | None |
| Internal Name | chemoreceptor |
External organelle representing a cell's ability to detect compounds in the environment. Chemoreceptors can be customised to detect a specific compound, or even cells of a specific species.
Requirements
No requirements
Processes
No processes.
Modifications
Modify the Chemoreceptor to select the compound to search for, or alternatively the species to detect. Set the search radius, line color, and if searching for compounds, the minimum compound density to detect.
Effects
For each Chemoreceptor attached to the player cell:
- If set to detect a specific compound, the player sees a visual indicator pointing to the nearest cloud of that compound. The cloud must be within the search radius and have greater density than the minimum density.
- If set to detect a specific species, the player sees a visual indicator pointing to the nearest cell of that species. The cell must be within the search radius.
Non-player cells meanwhile are more likely to move towards the compounds and/or species specified for their Chemoreceptors.
Upgrades
No upgrades.
Strategy
Chemoreceptors are valuable in the early game as a method for finding Glucose 
. Later in the game, they may be most useful for finding Phosphate 
as that's the only compound cells can't produce by themselves.
We recommend setting search radius to maximum and setting minimum density somewhere in the middle of its range. That way, the clouds you find will be more substantial and thus worth the energy investment to gather them.
Be aware of Chemoreceptors in other cells, both of your own species and other species. Non-player cells with Chemoreceptors seek out their target compound, and too many in the environment can lead to sudden droughts of that compound. If your own species develops Chemoreceptors and explodes in population, You may have to balance search convenience against decimation of a compound in the environment.
Scientific Background
TBA