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Self-replication facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
DNA chemical structure
Molecular structure of DNA

Replication is a general word for making a copy. Self-replication is a process by which a thing might make a copy of itself. Biological cells, in suitable environments, reproduce by cell division. The process is self-organising, given the basic machinery of a cell. During cell division, DNA is replicated and can be transmitted to offspring during reproduction.

Other kinds of replication occur. RNA viruses use the mechanism of a cell to replicate their own RNA strand and make its protein coat. Retroviruses are one of most important RNA viruses; there are a number of other types. Viruses can only reproduce by taking over the reproductive machinery of cells through a process of infection. Computer viruses reproduce using the hardware and software already present on computers.

Memes reproduce using the human mind and culture as their reproductive machinery.

Images for kids

  • A rep-tile-based setiset of order 4

    A perfect setiset of order 4

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Autorreplicación para niños

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