Abstract: A synthetic, cognitive cell, system, and method for automatically generating an output based on an environmental input is disclosed. The cognitive cell includes an operator including chemical agents, and a coded chemical including polymers. Each of the polymers includes a sequence of affinity blocks of molecular groups arranged in predetermined patterns to define a multi-layered base code. Each of the affinity blocks includes a monomer with a sidechain, the sidechains having affinities to each other. At least a portion of the affinity blocks forming a gate switch defining a bridge between the environmental inputs and the chemical agent whereby, upon exposure to the environmental inputs, the gate switches trigger the chemical agent to perform an operation. The coded chemical and at least one chemical agent are contained within a natural or synthetic membrane.