Table I.

‘Induced fit’ and ‘conformational selection’ in complex systems other than macromolecules

Name of complex system member	‘induced fit’ type interaction	‘conformational selection’ type interaction
Chemical molecules	induced dipoles (Debyeforces)	fluctuating transient dipoles (London-forces)
Cells	Stem cell differentiation	Multi-directional electronic and neurochemical interactions of cortical neurons
Ecosystem species	Food consumption in low diversity systems with a dominant herbivorous or carnivorous organism	Food consumption in high diversity systems with non-hierarchical (e.g. omnivorous) organisms
Animals	Division of labour in hierarchical communities of ants, bees, wasps, etc. having an leading figure (alpha male or female, queen)	Complementary cooperation between fishes, lions, monkeys, etc. without a dominant member of the community
Humans	Setting common norms and goals in a dictatorship	Setting common norms and goals in a democracy