It was claimed that for a network to be capable of selection, it should possess multiple attractors that may facilitate transitions from one to another . Further, it was asserted , based on CAS analyses, that in order for an attractor to undergo selection, the underlying chemical networks must contain "viable cores", also labelled irreducible autocatalytic cycles or interlinked groups thereof. These are proposed to be analogous to heritable replicating genotypes. An inference from this suggestion would be that a higher content of autocatalytic cycles in a network should lead to an enhanced efficacy of reaching the attractor . The GARD model uses a graded and encompassing catalytic scheme, and thus in principle every possible motif is present in its networks . When accounting for the strength of the catalytic interactions, GARD simulations show that only a very weak such correlation exists (Figure ). It thus appears that autocatalytic cycles are not necessary for catalytic networks to effectively reach reproduction, a prerequisite for Darwinian evolution. This conclusion is fortified by the observation that cycles within the network at the attractor, when examined in isolation, only rarely conform with the criterion for reproduction (high RQ) (Figure ). This is in contrast to entire networks at attractor states, all of which portray reproduction (Figure ). Such findings echo a similar sentiment stating that in the metabolic tricarboxylic acid cycle, it is not the entire cyclic portion of the network that reproduces, but rather only one of the molecular members of the cycle undergoes doubling . Our results also concur with the statement that an autocatalytic set does not necessarily contain a catalytic reaction cycle .