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.

Zachar and Szathmáry BMC Biology 2010 8:21   doi:10.1186/1741-7007-8-21