A New Replicator: A theoretical framework for analysing replication

Table 3 Comparison of Griesemer's classification (material aspect, columns) with ours (informational aspect, rows)

					*Material aspect*
					No overlap	Overlap
						No development*	Development*
Informational/dynamical aspect	No multiplication			No replication	Transcription, translation	Dissipation, segregation ( sensu Griesemer) metabolic networks	Non-replicating somatic cells
	Multiplication	No heredity		Non-informational replication	?	Formose reaction	?
		Heredity	No development*	Informational replication	Copying (sensu Griesemer) crystal growth, ribozymes, prions	Semi-conservative DNA replication	?
			Development*	Reproduction	(Self-bootstrapping complex entities)	?	Reproduction (sensu Griesemer) cells, organisms, chemoton

*Our definition of development differs from Griesemer's. It does not necessarily include material overlap, but is taken to be a process during which the final entity is made from the information inherited from the parent (template). Therefore, it is also possible to have entities in the 'development/no development' cells.

ISSN: 1741-7007