Self-Replicating Entities

Definition

These are entities that can make copies of themselves. In biology, this often refers to molecules such as DNA and RNA.

Analogy

Think of a self-replicating entity like a photocopier machine. You put in an original document (the parent molecule), and the machine produces identical copies (offspring molecules).

Related terms

DNA Replication: This is the process by which a double-stranded DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules.

RNA Replication: This is the process by which a RNA molecule is copied to produce two identical RNA molecules.

Mitosis: This is the type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth.