Quantum biology

Quantum biology is a speculative and interdisciplinary field that seeks to link quantum physics and the life sciences [cite book | last = Tae-Chang Kim| first = Eric Chaisson | title = Science, Education and Future Generations| publisher = Taylor & Francis Ltd| date = 1999| pages = p 26| isbn = 978-9057005381] . Essentially, it is an attempt to study biological processes in terms of quantum mechanics (QM), using quantum theory to study the structure, energy transfer and chemical reactions of biological molecules [cite book | last = Ian Brown| first = Zengliang Yu, Thiraphat Vilaithong | title = Introduction to Ion Beam Biotechnology| publisher = Springer-Verlag New York Inc| date = 2005| pages = p 97| isbn = 978-0387255316] in an effort to apply quantum principles to macroscopic systems as opposed to the atomic or subatomic realms generally described by quantum theory. Quantum biology uses mathematical computation to model biological interactions in light of QM effects [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070116133617.htm Science Daily "Quantum Biology: Powerful Computer Models Reveal Key Biological Mechanism" Retrieved Oct 14, 2007] .An unresolved and still controversial issue in this field is that of non-trivial (i.e. not limited to properties of molecules) role of quantum effects in biological systems [H.M. Wiseman, J. Eisert Nontrivial quantum effects in biology: A skeptical physicists' view arXiv:0705.1232v2 [physics.gen-ph] ] [Davies PC.Does quantum mechanics play a non-trivial role in life? Biosystems. 2004 Dec;78(1-3):69-79.] [Ogryzko VV. Erwin Schroedinger, Francis Crick and epigenetic stability.Biol Direct. 2008 Apr 17;3:15.http://www.biology-direct.com/content/3/1/15] .

tudies

Some of the biological phenomena that have been studied in terms of quantum processes are the absorbance of frequency-specific radiation (i.e., photosynthesis and vision) [cite book | last = Garab| first = G.| title = Photosynthesis: Mechanisms and Effects: Proceedings of the XIth International Congress on Photosynthesis| publisher = Kluwer Academic Publishers| date = 1999| isbn = 978-0792355472] ; the conversion of chemical energy into motion [cite book | last = Levine| first = Raphael D. | title = Molecular Reaction Dynamics| publisher = Cambridge University Press| date = 2005| pages = p 16-18| isbn = 978-0521842761] ; magnetoreception in animals [cite book | last = Binhi| first = Vladimir N.| title = Magnetobiology: Underlying Physical Problems| publisher = Academic Press| date = 2002| pages = pp 14-16| isbn = 978-0121000714] and brownian motors in many cellular processes. [cite book | last = Harald Krug| first = Harald Brune, Gunter Schmid, Ulrich Simon, Viola Vogel, Daniel Wyrwa, Holger Ernst, Armin Grunwald, Werner Grunwald, Heinrich Hofmann | title = Nanotechnology: Assessment and Perspectives| publisher = Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K| date = 2006| pages = pp 197-240| isbn = 978-3540328193] The field has also been active in researching QM analysis of magnetic fields and bird navigation, [http://rodgers.org.uk/research/ Chris Rodgers, "The Spin Chemistry of Bird Navigation" 2005] and may possibly shed light on Circadian rhythms in many organisms. [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070827174303.htm "Math Model For Circadian Rhythm Created," ScienceDaily, August 30, 2007]

References

Further reading

*"Atomistic approaches in modern biology : from quantum chemistry to molecular simulations" by Markus Reiher; L Bertini. Berlin ; New York : Springer, 2007. ISBN 9783540380825
*"Molecular structure and dynamics in biology." by Roman Osman; Guiliano Alagona; Caterina Ghio; International Society for Quantum Biology and Pharmacology.Wiley, 1999. OCLC: 82140679
*"Theoretical chemistry in biology : from molecular structure to functional mechanisms." by Peter Kollman; Harel Weinstein John Wiley and Sons, 1998. OCLC: 80429626

ee also

*Circadian rhythm
*Chronobiology
*Quantum chemistry computer programs
* Roger Penrose
* Henry Stapp
* Evan Harris Walker
* Stuart Hameroff
* Consciousness causes collapse
* Mind Science Foundation
* "What Is Life?"
* "Quantum Aspects of Life" (book)

External links

* [http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/quantum_biology/ Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Group, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]