Quantum effects in biology: golden rule in enzymes, olfaction, photosynthesis and magnetodetection
Where Quantum Physics Meets Biology
This review explores compelling evidence that quantum-level processes, including electron or energy transfer, quantum tunneling and spin-dependent radical-pair reactions, play active roles in biological functions such as enzyme activity, smell (olfaction), photosynthesis and magnetoreception. By showing that quantum mechanisms may underlie key molecular and cellular behaviors, the paper expands the biological paradigm beyond classical chemistry and support
Review Question: How do "weird" quantum physics effects like walking through walls (tunneling) and being in two places at once (coherence) help explain how life actually works? When are quantum tools better than classical physics for understanding biological processes like smelling, breathing, and navigating?
Review Purpose: Quantum mechanics is not just for subatomic particles in a lab; it is essential for life's most basic functions. These "quantum tricks" allow enzymes to work faster, plants to harvest light with near-perfect efficiency, and birds to see magnetic fields. Surprisingly, the "messy" environment of a living body actually helps these quantum effects stay stable.
Biophysics Phenomena Discussed: Natural quantum biological processes.
Review Highlights:
- The review proves that biology uses quantum mechanics to enhance speed and efficiency far beyond what traditional chemistry allows.
- Enzymes use "tunneling" to allow atoms to pass through barriers, explaining their incredible speed. Photosynthesis uses "coherence" to let energy explore multiple paths at once to find the most efficient route to a reaction center.
- Bird navigation likely relies on "entanglement," where light-sensitive molecules in the eye stay connected across a distance to detect the Earth's magnetic field. Smell may involve electrons sensing the specific "vibrations" of a scent molecule.
Discussion:
- While scientists used to think the body was too "warm and wet" for quantum effects, research shows that proteins actually act as perfect shields to keep these effects alive.
- These quantum processes are what make life so much more efficient than human-made machines.
- Nature uses these "quantum beats" to coordinate complex reactions across a cell in fractions of a second.
- By learning these tricks from nature, we may be able to design better medicines or energy-saving technologies.
Conclusion: Quantum physics is the hidden "engine" behind life's most essential processes. Life has evolved to master the laws of the quantum world to achieve levels of performance that classical physics simply cannot explain.
Link to Publication: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rspa/article/473/2201/20160822/57369/Quantum-effects-in-biology-golden-rule-in-enzymes
Physics Perspectives on the Biofield
This review examines how electromagnetic signals, coherent biophoton emissions and quantum level interactions may contribute to a broader physical basis for the biofield. By linking these mechanisms to biological organization and regulation, the authors propose that subtle field based processes could help explain aspects of development, healing and responsiveness to energy based practices.
Quantum Pathways in Living Systems
This review traces how methods and ideas developed in quantum chemistry are being extended into biological contexts, showing that quantum-level phenomena such as tunneling, coherence and electron or spin dynamics may play a functional role in living systems. By exploring how life might harness quantum effects, the article supports the possibility that biological organization and regulation operate through physical processes beyond classical biochemistry.
Hints of Quantum Behavior in the Brain
Summary: This study used an MRI technique that can pick up very subtle forms of brain activity and found heartbeat-timed signals that could not be explained by normal physiology or standard imaging effects. Because these signals only appeared when participants were awake, the authors suggest they may reflect an unusual form of brain activity that behaves differently from classical physics.
Possible Optical Biofield Dynamics
This study found that when many tryptophan molecules are arranged together in large protein structures, they can act collectively and release light in a stronger and more coordinated way than any single molecule could on its own. The findings raise the possibility that these assemblies could support an optical biofield capable of coordinating energy flow within the structure, suggesting a system that behaves as more than the sum of its parts.
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