> But free loader molecules that could infiltrate a metabolism and contribute nothing, but use it only for their own self-replication would also thrive.
Could you please explain the "mechanical" distinction between molecules that contribute to self-replication and molecules that contribute nothing during replication?
> But free loader molecules that could infiltrate a metabolism and contribute nothing, but use it only for their own self-replication would also thrive.
Could you please explain the "mechanical" distinction between molecules that contribute to self-replication and molecules that contribute nothing during replication?
What does it mean to contribute?