Introduction to Quantum Biology

Are biologic systems quantum mechanical?

The QuestionAre we classical or quantum mechanical?

Classical; matter/one state/ certainty/space and time bound

QM; wave/probability/ superposition of states/ uncertainty/time and space are blurred

Classical/Quantum mechanical Cutoff Do large objects belong to classical physics?

Does QM just govern small objects?

What is small?

Planck D. 1.6 * 10-35 m

Is there a cut-off?

In 2003, double slit experiments were done with the following molecule; fluorinated

fullerenes C60F48

Is there a cut-off?Where is the cut-off?

Are we quantum mechanical as well?

Problems with Quantum BiologyQM is observed under very cool temperature and in isolated

conditions.

One other property of QM is coherence

Coherence is the correlation between physical quantities of a single wave, or between several waves.

Quantum coherence is incredibly fleeting, measured in nano or micro seconds. It normally’ breaks down very rapidly

At higher temperatures quantum coherence can’t be created at all

Biologic systemsBiologic systems function in high temperature

and made by many molecule structures.

The biology we know is water dependant and functions very much in a connected environment.

We are made of many atomic ingredients with strong coordination.

Life Forms and QMHow can fragile quantum mechanical

phenomena manage to survive in wet and warm biological systems?

Nature seems to do it – continually.

Recent studies have suggested nature’s use of quantum physics in photosynthesis, the sense of smell, and many other biological functions.

How can it be?

Quantum Field Theory (QFT)

To explain quantum mechanical effects in biologic systems we have to use QFT.

QFT is the newest version of QM

It simply describes the many particle systems in quantum terms.

Self-Propagating wavesNot every wave is quantum mechanical

Water waves are thermalized

A soliton is a self-reinforcing solitary wave thatmaintains its shape while it travels at constant speed

Micro-anatomy of Life FormsThe cytoplasm is made of dense protein

filaments surrounded by water molecules

In 1979 Davydov found a solitary wave propagation along the chain of protein filaments. The wave is called Davydov soliton and it’s energy is kept free

from thermalization.

Davidov Soliton

Davydov soliton is an excitation propagating along the protein α-helix

The origin of wave propagation is the collective mode of many bipolar oscillations of non-localized electrons trapped in a protein chain.

Its frequency is about 1012 /sec

Water MoleculeThe composition of a water molecule is two hydrogen atoms and

one oxygen atom (spatial geometry shown in image below). The water molecule shows a non-vanishing electric dipole

moment, moving and rotating freely. Water is abundant in the body. So it can deliver quantum effect

all over the body of living things.

So living matter is made of dipolar soliton waves embedded in protein chain and water dipole moment Therefore, life forms in micro-scale can act quantum mechanically

Mutual Correlation in Life FormsNon-living matter can contain ingredient dipole

moments as well. However each one is irrespective of neighboring ones; so they cancel each other out

Living matter has a collective mode; the totality of their atomic ingredients have strong mutual correlation.

Non-living matter goes towards thermal equilibration with maximum entropy

Under the supply of energy, living matter decreases entropy and increases order (negantropy)

Quantum Field Theory (QFT)IN QFT, the energy stored in a soliton is kept

free from thermalization and stored in a highly ordered fashion

There is a strong mutual correlation between fundamental elements of living matter, which also requires to be studied within QFT domain

Quantum Tunneling

When a particle does not have enough energy to pass a barrier, but passes through it anyway, it is called Quantum Tunneling.

SynapsesDendrites and axons of different neurons are

not actually attached to each other. In higher magnification, there is a gap between the dendrites of different neurons that is about two hundred angstrom (2*10-8 m) wide. These gaps are termed the synaptic cleft.

Quantum TunnellingElectrons are thought to transfer the signal

throughout the cleft and to the next neuron. However the released electron does not have enough kinetic energy to pass the gap. It’s energy is enough for only about seven angstroms’ trip.

The electron must perform quantum tunneling to reach the next neuron.

Cell MembraneThe cell membrane is made up of lipids and

protein molecules. It is a double layered two dimensional

membrane of lipid molecules packed by protein filaments

Protein molecules act as active gates for ionic exchange across the membrane .

Classic Cell Membrane TheoryExchange of ions such as a sodium ion across an

ionic channel is vital to cell survivalHowever, a very intense electric field (107V.m-1)

prevents ion exchange.In addition, ions on one side of the membrane

are bound to proteins and trapped thereThe barrier is completely impenetrable in

“classical” terms .

Quantum Mechanical MembraneThe Uncertainty Principle

E . t ≥ h where E represents a quantum fluctuation of

energy occurring in the time interval t

Transfer of quantum object across the barrier takes about 5. 10-14 s

The energy variation surpasses the electric field energy

Quantum Brain DynamicsThe action potential thesis with its ionic

transfer fails in several respects...

Brain functions are highly ordered and systematized.

For example, memory is stored in non-localized region of the brain, is strongly-

correlated and homogenous with long term stability.

Quantum Brain Dynamics TheoryBrain is also made up of protein chains and water molecules

The electric dipole field spans the spatial volume of the brain.

The data field has a macroscopic order with long term stability and non-local presence

In QFT, when all the electric dipole moments are aligned in the same direction up to the quantum fluctuation, this is called collective mode

QBD answers the question of unity , memory storage and …..

Future SectionQuantum mechanics can explain many

unexplained functions in biologic systems. Some of them like photosynthesis can even be observed in macro-scales.

In our Sept gathering Victor will take it from here to the more familiar functions of life forms in macroscopic scales.

The End Part One