{"id":625,"date":"2020-02-19T11:48:55","date_gmt":"2020-02-19T10:48:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/?p=625"},"modified":"2022-04-30T14:58:17","modified_gmt":"2022-04-30T12:58:17","slug":"are-biological-processes-experts-in-quantum-physics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/2020\/02\/19\/are-biological-processes-experts-in-quantum-physics\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Biological Processes Experts in Quantum\u00a0Physics?"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"section section--body\">\n<div class=\"section-content\">\n<div class=\"section-inner sectionLayout--insetColumn\">\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Scientific inquiry can be a lesson in humility. Astronomer <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/copernicus\/notes.html#note-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/copernicus\/notes.html#note-3\">Nicolaus Copernicus<\/a> taught us this in the sixteenth century when submitting the hypothesis that the Sun is sitting at the centre of the Solar System, not the Earth.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Although we are limited by our own cognitive abilities, such humility can nevertheless open doors towards a broader understanding of the intrinsic dynamics of life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Can we learn about biological processes through quantum physics, even though such new insights may fly in the face of our present knowledge?<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"graf graf--h3\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h3-strong\">The Apparent Conundrum<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h4 class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\">Classical versus Quantum Mechanics<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Classical mechanics\u200a\u2014\u200athe physics developed by Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton and others\u200a\u2014\u200aexplains the movement of objects in the macroscopic world. Flinging your phone high into the sky and seeing it coming crashing down on the floor is an example of a trajectory entirely described by these classical laws. If you have some initial parameters, such as starting velocity and the angle under which your phone takes off, you can predict beforehand where your phone will land and with what speed. In other words, the world of large objects is deterministic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">As we zoom in to the level of individual particles, scientists, including Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schr\u00f6dinger, have come to observe that the classical laws did not hold. This is the realm of quantum mechanics, which is inherently probabilistic. Heisenberg reflected this characteristic in his uncertainty principle, which tells us that it is impossible to know simultaneously where a particle is situated in space and what its velocity is. With the help of a mathematical concept, i.e. the probability wave function, we can work out the chance that a particle will be at a certain location. This uncertainty stems from the fact that a particle also displays wave-like features in the microscopic terrain of quantum physics.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\">Quantum Vocabulary<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">A couple of other quantum idiosyncrasies that are pertinent to this article are quantum coherence, quantum entanglement and quantum tunneling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\"><a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/1502.05876.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/1502.05876.pdf\">Quantum coherence<\/a> refers to the phenomenon whereby two or more particles of a system vibrate in phase with each other. In such coherent system, the particles find themselves in all their possible states at the same time, i.e. <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s42005-018-0090-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s42005-018-0090-8\">superposition<\/a>, because of their wave-like essence. Once a measurement on the system is performed or the system comes into contact with its surroundings, one particular state is \u2018chosen\u2019, and the coherence is broken. At this moment, the system has effectively transitioned from quantum to classical behaviour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\"><a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/wright.chem.wisc.edu\/content\/dephasing-and-relaxation-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/wright.chem.wisc.edu\/content\/dephasing-and-relaxation-0\">Dephasing<\/a> alludes to this progression from quantum to classical behaviour, and <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/chem.libretexts.org\/Bookshelves\/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps\/Supplemental_Modules_%28Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry%29\/Quantum_Tutorials_%28Rioux%29\/Spectroscopy\/195%3A_Quantum_Beats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/chem.libretexts.org\/Bookshelves\/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps\/Supplemental_Modules_%28Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry%29\/Quantum_Tutorials_%28Rioux%29\/Spectroscopy\/195%3A_Quantum_Beats\">quantum beats<\/a> are a way to quantify quantum coherent aspects of a system.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\"><a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/quant-ph\/0702225.pdf?ev=pub_ext_btn_xdl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/quant-ph\/0702225.pdf?ev=pub_ext_btn_xdl\">Quantum entanglement<\/a> is the interdependent relationship between two or more particles. That is, a change in the properties of one particle instantaneously modifies the property of the other particle(s), regardless of the distance between them. It is important to note that the totality of the entangled particles acts as a single, coherent system.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\"><a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.azoquantum.com\/article.aspx?ArticleId=12\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em class=\"markup--em markup--p-em\">Quantum tunneling<\/em><\/a> occurs when a particle in a coherent system moves through an energy barrier that is otherwise forbidden to transverse in the classical, macroscopic domain. This happens as a result of the <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/courses.physics.illinois.edu\/phys485\/fa2015\/web\/tunneling.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/courses.physics.illinois.edu\/phys485\/fa2015\/web\/tunneling.pdf\">wave character<\/a> of a particle in quantum physics.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"graf graf--figure\">\n<p><div style=\"width: 582px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"graf-image lazyload\" title=\"The wave function (in blue) representing a quantum mechanical particle tunneling through a potential energy barrier.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/800\/1%2AWQAGF7sGJLsJZsZOKXiOew.png?resize=572%2C303&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The wave function (in blue) representing a quantum mechanical particle tunneling through a potential energy barrier.\" width=\"572\" height=\"303\" data-image-id=\"1*WQAGF7sGJLsJZsZOKXiOew.png\" data-width=\"572\" data-height=\"303\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 572px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 572\/303;\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fig. 1. The wave function (in blue) representing a quantum mechanical particle tunneling through a potential energy barrier. (Source: lumenlearning).<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<h4 class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\">The World Inside\u00a0Out<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">It is far from evident to experimentally establish quantum coherence. In meticulously manipulated lab settings isolated from its environment, the system usually has to be <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/ncomms8689\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/ncomms8689\">cooled down<\/a> to temperatures close to <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/paperity.org\/p\/135117521\/temperature-dependence-of-long-coherence-times-of-oxide-charge-qubits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/paperity.org\/p\/135117521\/temperature-dependence-of-long-coherence-times-of-oxide-charge-qubits\">absolute zero<\/a> whereby <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-018-04340-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-018-04340-3\">lasers<\/a> induce coherence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Biological life is not an isolated environment though. And temperatures are well above absolute zero. What is more, chemical reactions have so far done a great job in accounting for the inherent dynamics of our entire ecosystem, without banking too much on the quirks of quantum physics.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"graf graf--blockquote\"><p>And yet, against all odds, the field of <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--blockquote-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Franco_Nori\/publication\/233923372_Quantum_biology\/links\/0deec53c9030171813000000\/Quantum-biology.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Franco_Nori\/publication\/233923372_Quantum_biology\/links\/0deec53c9030171813000000\/Quantum-biology.pdf\">quantum biology<\/a> suggests that quantum mechanical processes could persist in the turbulent and warm atmosphere of life.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">For the case of photosynthesis, the first experimental evidence hereof came in 2007 by <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theochem.ru.nl\/files\/local\/n-446-782-2007.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.theochem.ru.nl\/files\/local\/n-446-782-2007.pdf\">Gregory Engel et al.<\/a>, when studying the <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1023%2FB%3APRES.0000030428.36950.43\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1023%2FB%3APRES.0000030428.36950.43\">Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) complex<\/a> in green sulphur bacteria. FMO is a light-harvesting protein complex that regulates the transfer of excited energy to the reaction centre in these bacteria. These authors reach the conclusion that the \u201cwavelike characteristic of the energy transfer within the photosynthetic complex can explain its extreme efficiency\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Thereafter, the field has been flourishing, and scientists continue to discover the presence of quantum events in different natural milieus. As a case in point, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/1910.14538\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/1910.14538\">Armin Shayeghi et al.<\/a> have detected for the first time how a natural antibiotic behaves like a quantum wave. And <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/advances.sciencemag.org\/content\/5\/8\/eaax5283\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/advances.sciencemag.org\/content\/5\/8\/eaax5283\">Junxu Li and Sabre Kais<\/a> have recently documented how quantum entanglement can be assessed in chemical reactions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Indeed, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.2976\/1.3244985\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.2976\/1.3244985\">quantum biology<\/a> has been delving into various biological phenomena in which quantum effects may play a part. They include, among others, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beilstein-journals.org\/bjnano\/articles\/2190-4286-7-31\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.beilstein-journals.org\/bjnano\/articles\/2190-4286-7-31\">Brownian motors in cellular processes<\/a>, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/en\/content\/articlepdf\/2019\/fd\/c9fd00049f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/en\/content\/articlepdf\/2019\/fd\/c9fd00049f\">magnetoreception<\/a>, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-019-11212-x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-019-11212-x\">cellular respiration<\/a>, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/content\/243\/4896\/1325.long\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/content\/243\/4896\/1325.long\">enzyme-catalyzed reactions<\/a>, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"http:\/\/ursula.chem.yale.edu\/~batista\/publications\/Floquet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"http:\/\/ursula.chem.yale.edu\/~batista\/publications\/Floquet.pdf\">visual phototransduction<\/a>, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/royalsocietypublishing.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1098\/rspa.2016.0822\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/royalsocietypublishing.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1098\/rspa.2016.0822\">olfaction<\/a>, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/en\/content\/articlehtml\/2017\/ra\/c6ra27828k\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/en\/content\/articlehtml\/2017\/ra\/c6ra27828k\">deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) mutation<\/a> and <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/1603.07182.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/1603.07182.pdf\">photosynthesis<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">In this article, I look under the hood of two particular biological mechanisms: photosynthesis and DNA mutation.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"graf graf--h3\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h3-strong\">Photosynthesis<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Plants and some organisms dispose of the ability to apply sunlight for the production of life-sustaining resources. Nature seems capable to execute that function in an incredibly efficient manner, which leaves researchers, to this day, debating about its underlying causes and modus operandi.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">One line of scientific thought, i.e. quantum biology, is figuring out whether quantum physics can provide the missing piece of the puzzle in this quest for clarification. Are the molecular vibrations telling us the whole story? Or are we only able to complete the circle by incorporating quantum mechanics?<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Time for some studious reflection.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\">Let There Be\u00a0Life<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Due to the work of <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jan-Baptista-van-Helmont\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Jan-Baptista-van-Helmont\">Jan van Helmont<\/a>, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Joseph-Priestley\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Joseph-Priestley\">Joseph Priestley<\/a> and others, we now know that photosynthesis is a natural process whereby carbon dioxide (CO\u2082) and water (H\u2082O) synthesize into glucose (C\u2086H\u2081\u2082O\u2086) with the support of sunlight. Oxygen (O\u2082) is hereby delivered as a by-product. The key attribute of the photosynthetic mechanism is the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, and it can be carried out by <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/terms\/phytoplankton.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/terms\/phytoplankton.htm\">phytoplankton<\/a>, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/ucmp.berkeley.edu\/bacteria\/cyanointro.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/ucmp.berkeley.edu\/bacteria\/cyanointro.html\">cyanobacteria<\/a> and plants.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"graf graf--figure graf--layoutOutsetLeft\">\n<p><div style=\"width: 581px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"graf-image lazyload\" title=\"Chemical reaction of photosynthesis.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/600\/1%2AW-yQbydd5xLyUUk1A9WjDw.png?resize=571%2C269&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Chemical reaction of photosynthesis.\" width=\"571\" height=\"269\" data-image-id=\"1*W-yQbydd5xLyUUk1A9WjDw.png\" data-width=\"571\" data-height=\"269\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 571px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 571\/269;\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fig. 2. Chemical reaction of photosynthesis. (Source: chemicalformula.org).<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Within plant leaf cells, photosynthesis arises in organelles called chloroplasts (see Fig. 3). They contain photosystems where light-harvesting takes place. Light-harvesting encompasses the capture of solar energy as well as its transfer to reaction centres.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">The photosystem is riddled with antenna pigment molecules, i.e. chromophores, that receive sunlight in the form of photons. Upon reception of a photon, these chromophores, such as chlorophyll and carotenoid, expel an electron. Afterwards, by the agency of <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in\/bitstream\/10603\/496\/7\/07_chapter1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in\/bitstream\/10603\/496\/7\/07_chapter1.pdf\">photoinduced electron transfer reactions<\/a>, that electron finds its way to a chlorophyll molecule within the reaction centre. Eventually, it ends up in an electron acceptor, which can be thought of as the exit of the photosystem.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">The <strong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\"><em class=\"markup--em markup--p-em\">most crucial part of photosynthesis transpires in the reaction centre<\/em><\/strong> where the solar energy is transposed into a <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/94\/9\/4389\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/94\/9\/4389\">charge separation<\/a>, i.e. chemical energy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">At the same time, an <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/B9780128144534000030\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/B9780128144534000030\">electron transport chain<\/a> is responsible for the creation of the energy-storing molecules adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). Within the chloroplast and outside of the photosystem, both ATP and NADPH are subsequently transformed into stores of chemical energy carbohydrates, e.g. glucose.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"graf graf--figure\">\n<p><div style=\"width: 580px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"graf-image lazyload\" title=\"The light-harvesting photosystem within a chloroplast of a plant.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/800\/1%2Au8_IZLHL9f9QZ8lH9fk1jg.png?resize=570%2C388&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The light-harvesting photosystem within a chloroplast of a plant.\" width=\"570\" height=\"388\" data-image-id=\"1*u8_IZLHL9f9QZ8lH9fk1jg.png\" data-width=\"570\" data-height=\"388\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 570px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 570\/388;\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fig. 3. The light-harvesting photosystem within a chloroplast of a plant. (Source: Penn State University).<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Light-harvesting is \u201calmost 100% efficient\u201d, say <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"http:\/\/www.cchem.berkeley.edu\/grfgrp\/Papers\/2006%20Scholes%20AdvChemPhys132.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.cchem.berkeley.edu\/grfgrp\/Papers\/2006%20Scholes%20AdvChemPhys132.pdf\">Graham Fleming and Gregory Scholes<\/a>. But given our warm and chaotic natural environment, the question is how such high productiveness of energy transfer in photosynthesis is cultivated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">The conundrum comes down to whether this efficiency is due to a quantum signature within the molecular vibrations.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\">A Classical View<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Since a photon-receiving chromophore finds itself in an excited state, its molecular vibrational mode can be transferred to a neighbouring, less excited chromophore with the assistance of electromagnetic interactions. This mechanism is referred to as \u2018electron hopping\u2019, and the charge cascades from higher to lower molecular energy levels.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Such <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2095927319307078\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2095927319307078\">classical explanations<\/a>, which are underpinned by theories like <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/en\/content\/articlepdf\/2018\/sc\/c8sc00053k\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/en\/content\/articlepdf\/2018\/sc\/c8sc00053k\">generalized Marcus theory<\/a>, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3098534\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3098534\/\">F\u00f6rster theory<\/a> and <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1134\/S199074781204006X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1134\/S199074781204006X\">incoherent Redfield theory<\/a>, hypothesize that the partial orbital overlap of the molecules allows for the electron transfer as a consequence of energetic resonance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">The route from the chromophore to the reaction centre is hereby assumed to be completely random. Some paths are prioritized over others, depending on whether incoming sunlight is being usefully utilized. Surely, even if light-harvesting is nearly perfectly efficient, there still exists some energy waste along these pathways, disguised as <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/physicstoday.scitation.org\/doi\/10.1063\/PT.3.2924\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/physicstoday.scitation.org\/doi\/10.1063\/PT.3.2924\">dissipated heat or fluorescence<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"graf graf--figure\">\n<p><div style=\"width: 584px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"graf-image lazyload\" title=\"Schematic view of (A) classical versus (B) quantum behaviour of energy transfer during photosynthesis.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/800\/1%2A2TjAbofI8X0qfjoLS2904w.png?resize=574%2C473&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Schematic view of (A) classical versus (B) quantum behaviour of energy transfer during photosynthesis.\" width=\"574\" height=\"473\" data-image-id=\"1*2TjAbofI8X0qfjoLS2904w.png\" data-width=\"574\" data-height=\"473\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 574px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 574\/473;\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fig. 4. Schematic view of (A) classical versus (B) quantum behaviour of energy transfer during photosynthesis. (Source: Paper Tim Rammler et\u00a0al.).<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<blockquote class=\"graf graf--blockquote\"><p>Despite the fact that the field of quantum biology is gaining traction, many scientists remain skeptical about long-lived quantum coherence in living organisms.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">As an illustrative example, the research of <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/pnas\/110\/4\/1203.full.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/pnas\/110\/4\/1203.full.pdf\">Vivek Tiwari et al.<\/a> asserts that molecular vibrations account for the highly productive energy transfer rather than quantum coherence. <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nchem.2910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nchem.2910\">Margherita Maiuri et al.<\/a> and <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2451929416302297\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2451929416302297\">Jacob Dean et al.<\/a> corroborate such findings during their examination of green sulphur bacteria and cryptophyte algae, respectively.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">And also <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/pnas\/114\/32\/8493.full.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/pnas\/114\/32\/8493.full.pdf\">Duan Hong-Guang et al.<\/a> reason along the same lines. In fact, they explicitly mention that \u201ccontributions of quantum coherence to biological functionality under ambient conditions in natural light-harvesting units is extremely unlikely\u201d. In addition, they report that these results are probably general.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">In the context of green sulphur bacteria, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nchem.1834.epdf?referrer_access_token=JS6hiY9E2PbkwX5HPLvP49RgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0OBozhFxOl7rSK7tTxFmBonbYOfP04j8C9dUR7csE1A9F5DP90Fdv4wioRn_D-H6OB-x6A_FOw3HdUoLsL8URyEBxJDc_-ReFufoyWDbYBj2I3cqMV8Acou7lyGa71mjenOp-hluaf8dlJeIIBC2Nshn3N9B25VRfOnFb_5h41eacNJGFjZj_j8N_ShfKQRjZ8%3D&amp;tracking_referrer=physicsworld.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nchem.1834.epdf?referrer_access_token=JS6hiY9E2PbkwX5HPLvP49RgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0OBozhFxOl7rSK7tTxFmBonbYOfP04j8C9dUR7csE1A9F5DP90Fdv4wioRn_D-H6OB-x6A_FOw3HdUoLsL8URyEBxJDc_-ReFufoyWDbYBj2I3cqMV8Acou7lyGa71mjenOp-hluaf8dlJeIIBC2Nshn3N9B25VRfOnFb_5h41eacNJGFjZj_j8N_ShfKQRjZ8%3D&amp;tracking_referrer=physicsworld.com\">Alexei Halpin et al.<\/a> indeed point out that the established coherence in the FMO complex breaks down too rapidly to have any relevant importance for the energy transfer process. Moreover, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41557-018-0060-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41557-018-0060-5\">Erling Thyrhaug et al.<\/a> maintain that these coherences are inherently vibrational. In 2019, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/ko\/content\/articlehtml\/2019\/sc\/c9sc03501j#cit11\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/ko\/content\/articlehtml\/2019\/sc\/c9sc03501j#cit11\">Shawn Irgen-Gioro et al.<\/a> drew similar inferences regarding the time scale for coherence for both green sulphur and purple nonsulphur bacteria.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"graf graf--figure graf--layoutOutsetLeft\">\n<p><div style=\"width: 379px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"graf-image lazyload\" title=\"The light-harvesting apparatus of green sulphur bacteria and the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) protein.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/600\/1%2A4QUiNk-BgAQYMKASbl3y1g.png?resize=369%2C238&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The light-harvesting apparatus of green sulphur bacteria and the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) protein.\" width=\"369\" height=\"238\" data-image-id=\"1*4QUiNk-BgAQYMKASbl3y1g.png\" data-width=\"369\" data-height=\"238\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 369px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 369\/238;\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fig. 5. The light-harvesting apparatus of green sulphur bacteria and the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) protein. (Source: Paper Mohan Sarovar et\u00a0al.).<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">With reference to the photosynthetic protein PC645 in cryptophyte algae, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/pnas\/115\/15\/E3342.full.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/pnas\/115\/15\/E3342.full.pdf\">Samuel Blau et al.<\/a> are inclined to endorse a classical explanation for this formidable performance in energy transfer. In particular, they avouch that \u201cThe incoherent vibronic mechanism assigned here to PC645 is far more robust to imperfections than its coherent counterpart\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Recently, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Chanelle_Jumper\/publication\/326829628_From_coherent_to_vibronic_light_harvesting_in_photosynthesis\/links\/5b65a6740f7e9bd7ae9453b6\/From-coherent-to-vibronic-light-harvesting-in-photosynthesis.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Chanelle_Jumper\/publication\/326829628_From_coherent_to_vibronic_light_harvesting_in_photosynthesis\/links\/5b65a6740f7e9bd7ae9453b6\/From-coherent-to-vibronic-light-harvesting-in-photosynthesis.pdf\">Chanelle Jumper et al.<\/a> sketched out the state of play of the academic debate on coherent and incoherent transfer dynamics in green sulphur bacteria and algae. Their research favours a <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/goldbook.iupac.org\/terms\/view\/V06617\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/goldbook.iupac.org\/terms\/view\/V06617\">vibronic coupling<\/a> framework, which \u201cdoes not involve a coherent energy transfer mechanism\u201d. \u201cInstead\u201d, they continue, \u201cit is an elaboration of F\u00f6rster theory.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\">A Quantum Narrative<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Yet, in view of a virtually perfect efficiency, an increasing number of scientists plead that quantum coherence is written all over these molecular vibrations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">From a quantum perspective, an electron acts, besides as a particle, like a wave. Therefore, it would \u2018test\u2019 beforehand all the available routes to the reaction centre, for as long as the quantum coherence endures. Ultimately, it \u2018selects\u2019 the one with the least amount of energy loss.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\"><a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/ncomms4012\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/ncomms4012\">Edward O\u2019Reilly and Alexandra Olaya-Castro<\/a> concur with such reasoning. They reveal that \u201ccoherent vibrational motions that do not relax quickly and whose fluctuations cannot be described classically may be seen as an internal quantum mechanism controlling energy distribution and storage.\u201d <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/content\/340\/6139\/1431\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/content\/340\/6139\/1431\">Dugan Hayes et al.<\/a>, for instance, come to analogous conclusions by examining small molecules called synthetic heterodimers. However, they also state that, arguably, \u201cCoherent effects may increase energy transfer efficiency relative to strictly incoherent transfer mechanisms.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"graf graf--blockquote\"><p>Surprisingly, quantum coherence can be sustained in a natural setting, not only during a deeply cooled, artificial lab experiment.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">As a matter of fact, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3899860\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3899860\/\">Francesca Fassioli et al.<\/a> point to \u201cnew evidence indicat[ing] that electronic coherence can survive in the biological environment for weaker electronic coupling than previously thought.\u201d Actually, quantum coherence has been identified in chlorophyll molecules of <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nature05678\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nature05678\">green sulphur bacteria<\/a>, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nature08811\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nature08811\">marine algae<\/a> and <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1002\/pssb.201000856\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">plants<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"graf graf--figure\">\n<p><div style=\"width: 529px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"graf-image lazyload\" title=\"Temperature dependence of coherence dephasing.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/800\/1%2AXkpcKPTJYpse9lxiRyCVfw.png?resize=519%2C561&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Temperature dependence of coherence dephasing.\" width=\"519\" height=\"561\" data-image-id=\"1*XkpcKPTJYpse9lxiRyCVfw.png\" data-width=\"519\" data-height=\"561\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 519px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 519\/561;\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fig. 6. Temperature dependence of coherence dephasing. (Source: Paper Gitt Panitchayangkoon et\u00a0al.).<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">When scrutinizing green plants, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4746732\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4746732\/\">Elisabet Romero et al.<\/a> disclose data that unveils \u201cthe strong correlation between the degree of electronic coherence and efficient and ultrafast charge separation.\u201d That is to say, quantum coherence may enhance the energy transport towards the reaction centre and the light-harvesting machinery in general.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">In the case of green sulphur bacteria, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/1708.00933.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/1708.00933.pdf\">Davinder Singh and Shubhrangshu Dasgupta<\/a> observe that \u201cthe coherence between the different [bacteriochlorophyll-a] sites is an essential ingredient for the success of [excitation energy transfer (EET)].\u201d Furthermore, they proclaim that, notwithstanding \u201cthe presence of pigment-pigment couplings, the absence of coherence prohibits the EET.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Turning our attention to cryptophyte marine algae, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nature08811\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nature08811\">Elisabetta Collini et al.<\/a> similarly remark that, at ambient temperatures, \u201cdistant molecules within the photosynthetic proteins are \u2018wired\u2019 together by quantum coherence for more efficient light-harvesting\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"graf graf--figure graf--layoutOutsetLeft\">\n<p><div style=\"width: 580px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"graf-image lazyload\" title=\"A microscopic view of cryptophyte marine algae.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/600\/1%2A29LvaSrI6I1zV7m5hiDn5Q.png?resize=570%2C429&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A microscopic view of cryptophyte marine algae.\" width=\"570\" height=\"429\" data-image-id=\"1*29LvaSrI6I1zV7m5hiDn5Q.png\" data-width=\"570\" data-height=\"429\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 570px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 570\/429;\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fig. 7. A microscopic view of cryptophyte marine algae. (Source: phys.org).<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Somewhat counterintuitively, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Roberto_Bassi\/publication\/224810798_Elucidation_of_the_timescales_and_origins_of_quantum_electronic_coherence_in_LHCII\/links\/0deec52b196516a383000000\/Elucidation-of-the-timescales-and-origins-of-quantum-electronic-coherence-in-LHCII.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Roberto_Bassi\/publication\/224810798_Elucidation_of_the_timescales_and_origins_of_quantum_electronic_coherence_in_LHCII\/links\/0deec52b196516a383000000\/Elucidation-of-the-timescales-and-origins-of-quantum-electronic-coherence-in-LHCII.pdf\">Gabriela Schlau-Cohen et al.<\/a> ascertain that even the immediate surroundings are conducive to quantum coherence during the energy transfer in green plants. More often than not, contact with the environment entails the end of coherence. Intriguingly, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/0805.2741.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/0805.2741.pdf\">Masoud Mohseni et al.<\/a> find comparable indications in their exploration of the FMO complex in green sulphur bacteria.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">To take it a step further, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/0905.3787\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/0905.3787\">Mohan Sarovar et al.<\/a> demonstrate that <strong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\"><em class=\"markup--em markup--p-em\">not only quantum coherence but also quantum entanglement appears to manage the energy transfer<\/em><\/strong> in the FMO complex. Contrary to standard quantum experiments, temperature did not seem to notably influence the strength of entanglement in their research. Interestingly, the data analysed by <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.aps.org\/prl\/abstract\/10.1103\/PhysRevLett.105.180501\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/journals.aps.org\/prl\/abstract\/10.1103\/PhysRevLett.105.180501\">Fernando Galve et al.<\/a> suggests matching interpretations when inspecting systems out of thermal equilibrium.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Quantum entanglement in living organisms remains an active field of scientific inquiry. More recently, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.1088\/2399-6528\/aae224\/meta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.1088\/2399-6528\/aae224\/meta\">Chiara Marletto et al.<\/a> have probed green sulphur bacteria and confirmed the involvement of quantum entanglement in their photosynthetic elements.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\">Wrong Question, Perhaps?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">What if the original question whether the energy transfer efficiency in photosynthesis calls for a quantum faculty was not framed in a particularly constructive way?<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Maybe we will reach novel insights, only if we go beyond the apparent conundrum of adopting either a quantum or classical approach. In fact, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/pdfs.semanticscholar.org\/ed19\/592499dd93128b27313d609eb626b2d9ae3d.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/pdfs.semanticscholar.org\/ed19\/592499dd93128b27313d609eb626b2d9ae3d.pdf\">Akihito Ishizaki and Graham Fleming<\/a> treat the issue of energy transfer in a nondualistic fashion. In concrete terms, they designed a mathematical structure that \u201cdescribe[s] quantum coherent wavelike motion and incoherent hopping in a unified manner.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Is such conceptual unification also being considered for another biological process, namely that of DNA mutation?<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"graf graf--h3\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h3-strong\">DNA Mutation<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Every so often, the vibrant atmosphere within our microscopic DNA ecosystem leads to a slight rearrangement of biomolecules, which can bring about mutations in our genes. For this reason, we may develop <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.genome.gov\/For-Patients-and-Families\/Genetic-Disorders\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.genome.gov\/For-Patients-and-Families\/Genetic-Disorders\">genetic disorders<\/a>, including colon cancer, Klinefelter Syndrome, Huntington Disease or Cri du Chat Syndrome.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Scientists dig into the root causes of these shifts in our fundamental DNA material to better comprehend how these maladies form. One cross-disciplinary field of research, i.e. quantum biology, oversees whether quantum mechanics has anything to do with these molecular permutations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Let us have a look.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\">What Are We Fundamentally Made\u00a0Of?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">DNA is a molecule that retains genetic information. It is vital for passing on the specific traits of a species to their next generation. The DNA\u2019s foundational building blocks consist of four chemical bases: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and guanine (G). A DNA base pair is the coupling of either A and T or C and G. Combining a base, a sugar and a phosphate molecule gives us a nucleotide. Sequencing a number of nucleotides results in a gene, which gives expression to either ribonucleic acid (RNA) or a protein. A long strand of DNA that contains many genes constitutes a chromosome. According to the <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencehistory.org\/historical-profile\/james-watson-francis-crick-maurice-wilkins-and-rosalind-franklin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencehistory.org\/historical-profile\/james-watson-francis-crick-maurice-wilkins-and-rosalind-franklin\">Watson-Crick DNA model<\/a>, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/hydrogen-bonding\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/hydrogen-bonding\">hydrogen bonds<\/a> between the base pairs are holding the entire DNA double helix architecture together.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"graf graf--figure\">\n<p><div style=\"width: 806px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"graf-image lazyload\" title=\"From a DNA base to a chromosome in the nucleus of a human cell: a schematic view.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/800\/1%2Aa3X4PN3usTBls0v-9YDwKQ.png?resize=629%2C492&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"From a DNA base to a chromosome in the nucleus of a human cell: a schematic view.\" width=\"629\" height=\"492\" data-image-id=\"1*a3X4PN3usTBls0v-9YDwKQ.png\" data-width=\"796\" data-height=\"623\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 629px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 629\/492;\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fig. 8. From a DNA base to a chromosome in the nucleus of a human cell: a schematic view. (Source: adapted from cancer.gov).<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">DNA <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yourgenome.org\/facts\/what-is-dna-replication\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.yourgenome.org\/facts\/what-is-dna-replication\">replicates itself<\/a> at an on-going basis to ensure the production of new cells. During the replication procedure, the double helix is broken up, so that the two individual DNA strands can be copied. In the final stage, the stands are put back together.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">DNA mutation refers to any modification in the order or the composition of the nucleotides. It can be caused by either an external factor, e.g. ultraviolet radiation, or a spontaneous error at the time of DNA reproduction. There exist <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/ghr.nlm.nih.gov\/primer\/mutationsanddisorders\/possiblemutations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/ghr.nlm.nih.gov\/primer\/mutationsanddisorders\/possiblemutations\">different kinds of mutation<\/a>, including missense mutation, nonsense mutation, insertion, deletion, duplication, frameshift mutation and repeat expansion. If only a single nucleotide is affected, we speak of a <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/point-mutation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/point-mutation\">point mutation<\/a>. Mutations can facilitate the introduction of new species by means of <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/biologydictionary.net\/genetic-variation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/biologydictionary.net\/genetic-variation\/\">genetic variation<\/a>. Without DNA mutations, we would not witness evolution in living organisms at all.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Sometimes, the proton in the hydrogen bond can spontaneously swap position\u200a\u2014\u200athis chemical reaction is called <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/scitable\/topicpage\/dna-replication-and-causes-of-mutation-409\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/scitable\/topicpage\/dna-replication-and-causes-of-mutation-409\/\">tautomerism<\/a>. <strong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\"><em class=\"markup--em markup--p-em\">A point mutation can then ensue, only if the DNA replication scheme occurs exactly when the nucleotide base transfers to its rare tautomeric form<\/em><\/strong>\u200a\u2014\u200a<a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"http:\/\/citeseerx.ist.psu.edu\/viewdoc\/download?doi=10.1.1.475.62&amp;rep=rep1&amp;type=pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"http:\/\/citeseerx.ist.psu.edu\/viewdoc\/download?doi=10.1.1.475.62&amp;rep=rep1&amp;type=pdf\">James Watson and Francis Crick<\/a> first proposed this idea in 1953. The outcome is the formation of an incorrect DNA base pair, for example a T-G pair (see Fig. 9). There are also <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bio.miami.edu\/dana\/250\/250S19_15.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">other types of spontaneous mutations<\/a>, which we will not deal with in this article.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"graf graf--figure\">\n<p><div style=\"width: 581px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"graf-image lazyload\" title=\"Standard and anomalous DNA base pairs.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/800\/1%2ALv48OaeWHQrN8CvQso1qng.png?resize=571%2C304&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Standard and anomalous DNA base pairs.\" width=\"571\" height=\"304\" data-image-id=\"1*Lv48OaeWHQrN8CvQso1qng.png\" data-width=\"571\" data-height=\"304\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 571px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 571\/304;\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fig. 9. (a): Standard DNA base-pairing of TA and CG; (b): Anomalous DNA base-pairing of TG and CA as a result of tautomerization. The hydrogen bonds are represented by red, dashed lines. (Source: Concepts of Genetics).<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">What scientists have been discussing in recent decades translates into whether such tautomeric shifts are ascribed to either the classical \u2018proton hopping\u2019 or quantum tunneling.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\">A Classical Perspective<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">DNA mutations are considered to be random\u200a\u2014\u200amind you, natural selection <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/evolution.berkeley.edu\/evolibrary\/article\/evo_32\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/evolution.berkeley.edu\/evolibrary\/article\/evo_32\">is not<\/a>. And, in the context of tautomerism, they are propelled by \u2018proton hopping\u2019.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"graf graf--blockquote\"><p>Classically, such hopping sets in as soon as the proton gains a minimum amount of <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--blockquote-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/science\/high-school-biology\/hs-energy-and-transport\/hs-enzymes\/a\/activation-energy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/science\/high-school-biology\/hs-energy-and-transport\/hs-enzymes\/a\/activation-energy\">activation energy<\/a> to overcome a potential energy barrier.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">At that point, the proton switches position in the hydrogen bond to form a tautomer (see Fig. 9).<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">With respect to tautomerization of the G-C base pair, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Victoria_Brown-Kennerly2\/publication\/283434215_Marcus_model_of_spontaneous_point_mutation_in_DNA\/links\/57a742c808ae455e85464546\/Marcus-model-of-spontaneous-point-mutation-in-DNA.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Victoria_Brown-Kennerly2\/publication\/283434215_Marcus_model_of_spontaneous_point_mutation_in_DNA\/links\/57a742c808ae455e85464546\/Marcus-model-of-spontaneous-point-mutation-in-DNA.pdf\">Nigora Turaeva and Victoria Brown-Kennerly<\/a>, for instance, review the likelihood of spontaneous mutations by virtue of these tautomers, leaning on the classical two-dimensional Marcus theory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">As regards the A-T pair, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/en\/content\/articlehtml\/2015\/cp\/c5cp00472a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/en\/content\/articlehtml\/2015\/cp\/c5cp00472a\">Adam Godbeer et al.<\/a> actually calculated the possibility of quantum tunneling. They affirm that this quantum phenomenon is not likely \u201cto be a significant mechanism for the creation of adenine-thymine tautomers within DNA\u201d. Moreover, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0079610718302906\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0079610718302906\">Ashkan Shekaari and Mahmoud Jafari<\/a> draw similar conclusions for the same base pair.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">In response to the paper of Adam Godbeer and colleagues, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Olha_Brovarets\/publication\/290654561_Proton_tunneling_in_the_AT_Watson-Crick_DNA_base_pair_Myth_or_reality\/links\/569d1d6008ae92c62fe0cac6.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Olha_Brovarets\/publication\/290654561_Proton_tunneling_in_the_AT_Watson-Crick_DNA_base_pair_Myth_or_reality\/links\/569d1d6008ae92c62fe0cac6.pdf\">Ol\u2019ha Brovarets and Dmytro Hovorun<\/a> take an even more critical stance. In their assessment, they infer that \u201cTunneling of the protons [\u2026] in the A\u2219T(WC) base pair should not be observed at all under the condition of adequate parameterization of the model\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">However, there are researchers that come to different results.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\">A Quantum Explanation<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">In the hydrogen bond between two nucleotide bases, the proton is being pulled forth and back by two lone electrons. From a quantum mechanical perspective, the protons are <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0303264799000040\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0303264799000040\">in superposition<\/a>. At the moment of DNA replication, they will have to \u2018choose\u2019 to attain either a normal or a tautomeric form of base pairs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Because a particle also possesses a wave-like nature, it can enter into classically forbidden zones and travel straight through a potential energy barrier. What is more, given the minimal mass of the hydrogen atom, hydrogen bonds may be <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/chapter\/10.1007\/978-3-662-55671-9_27\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/chapter\/10.1007\/978-3-662-55671-9_27\">more susceptible<\/a> to quantum events like quantum tunneling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">More generally, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1002\/anie.201511028\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1002\/anie.201511028\">Jan Meisner and Johannes K\u00e4stner<\/a> signal a maturing academic acceptance of quantum tunneling in chemical reactions. As a case in point, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nnano.2015.320\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nnano.2015.320\">Massimiliano Di Ventra and Masateru Taniguchi<\/a> examine the role of tunneling in sequencing in relation to drugs and treatments.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"graf graf--blockquote\"><p>Among proponents of quantum biology, it is acknowledged that quantum tunneling explicates the actual proton transfer in tautomerization.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Already back in 1963, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.aps.org\/rmp\/abstract\/10.1103\/RevModPhys.35.724\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Per-Olov L\u00f6wdin<\/a> hinted that quantum tunneling guides the transition from normal to tautomeric DNA base pairs. More recently, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ingentaconnect.com\/content\/ben\/coc\/2013\/00000017\/00000016\/art00010?crawler=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.ingentaconnect.com\/content\/ben\/coc\/2013\/00000017\/00000016\/art00010?crawler=true\">Frank Trixler<\/a> reaffirms that, in fact, \u201cproton tunnelling influences the main function of DNA\u200a\u2014\u200athe reliable storage of genetic information.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Fig 10 depicts an example of the probabilities of quantum tunneling of a proton for the tautomeric base pair G-T. Considering that the tautomeric form is <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chemeurope.com\/en\/encyclopedia\/Keto-enol_tautomerism.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.chemeurope.com\/en\/encyclopedia\/Keto-enol_tautomerism.html\">less stable<\/a> than its normal equivalent, the potential energy of the proton follows an asymmetric double-well pattern.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"graf graf--figure graf--layoutOutsetLeft\">\n<p><div style=\"width: 589px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"graf-image lazyload\" title=\"The proton distribution for the tautomeric base pair G-T.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn-images-1.medium.com\/max\/600\/1%2AbNNWxj01-xgpTB-CtlRcaA.png?resize=579%2C279&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The proton distribution for the tautomeric base pair G-T.\" width=\"579\" height=\"279\" data-image-id=\"1*bNNWxj01-xgpTB-CtlRcaA.png\" data-width=\"579\" data-height=\"279\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 579px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 579\/279;\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fig. 10. The proton distribution for the tautomeric base pair G-T. (Source: Paper Megan\u00a0Wolfe).<\/p><\/div><\/figure>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Inasmuch as rare tautomers are not easily experimentally monitored, scientists commonly rely on computational methods to investigate proton relocations within DNA. In one such study, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fchem.2019.00536\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fchem.2019.00536\/full\">Ruby Srivastava<\/a> concludes that \u201cThere is a least but finite probability for protons to change place within the hydrogen bond due to quantum tunneling, which will alter the genetic code and cause mutations.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\"><a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/cond-mat\/0110599.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/cond-mat\/0110599.pdf\">V.L. Golo and Yu.S. Volkov<\/a> equally link quantum tunneling to DNA mutations. Concretely, they posit that \u201can action imposed on a set of nucleotide in a region of the molecule might generate mutations in a different region owing to the motion of excitations corresponding to proton tunneling.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">To the same extent, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1140\/epje\/i2018-11690-y.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1140\/epje\/i2018-11690-y.pdf\">J. Luo<\/a> puts forward that \u201cproton tunnelling across DNA hydrogen bonds may be a mechanism responsible for biological processes such as spontaneous mutation.\u201d Basing their work on quantum tunneling, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/1105.6282.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/1105.6282.pdf\">E.K. Ivanova et al.<\/a> specifically look at the prospect of point mutations in function of temperature and DNA replication velocity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">For a more general setting of two identical symmetric hydrogen bonds, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/minerva.usc.es\/xmlui\/bitstream\/handle\/10347\/16852\/2018_fernandez_jchemphys_entanglement_tunneling.pdf?sequence=1&amp;isAllowed=y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/minerva.usc.es\/xmlui\/bitstream\/handle\/10347\/16852\/2018_fernandez_jchemphys_entanglement_tunneling.pdf?sequence=1&amp;isAllowed=y\">Zorka Smedarchina et al.<\/a> claim that, during the double-proton transfer, <strong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\"><em class=\"markup--em markup--p-em\">quantum entanglement, as well as quantum tunneling, takes place.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Certainly, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/1807.00647.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/1807.00647.pdf\">Onur Pusuluk et al.<\/a> declare that \u201ctunneling of [\u2026] the proton of the H atom can generate useful quantum entanglement in a H-bonded system\u201d. In addition, they submit the stronger hypothesis that \u201csignificant amounts of quantum entanglement can be found in the thermal state of hydrogen bond.\u201d Within the specific framework of DNA base pairs, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1002\/qua.22834\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1002\/qua.22834\">Grant Cooper<\/a> falls back on the entanglement of protons to portray the conduct of tautomerization.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><iframe title=\"&#039;Quantum jitters&#039; may drive DNA mutations {Duke University Research}\" width=\"629\" height=\"354\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LGK65NuyNtQ?start=1&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Video: Quantum mechanics may drive DNA mutations (Duke University).<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section-inner sectionLayout--insetColumn\">\n<h4 class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\">Wrong Question, Again?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">As we have seen, the controversy about quantum biology evolves around the argument whether delicate quantum processes could prevail at the ambient temperatures of biological life. Nonetheless, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/full\/10.1021\/acs.jpclett.6b00777\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/full\/10.1021\/acs.jpclett.6b00777\">Wei Fang et al.<\/a> contend that, unexpectedly, quantum effects \u201ccan have a smaller impact on hydrogen bond strengths at cryogenic temperatures than at room temperature.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Does this mean that quantum mechanics infiltrates into the macroscopic level more extensively than hitherto presumed?<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Once again, the question is perhaps not whether quantum physics holds sway over our natural environment. As a matter of fact, also in the context of DNA mutation have several researchers argued away from such dualistic framing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Concerning hole transfers of electrons in DNA, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Yuri_Berlin2\/publication\/258995653_Elementary_steps_for_charge_transport_in_DNA_Thermal_activation_vs_tunneling\/links\/5af9d649aca272e730289b6e\/Elementary-steps-for-charge-transport-in-DNA-Thermal-activation-vs-tunneling.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Yuri_Berlin2\/publication\/258995653_Elementary_steps_for_charge_transport_in_DNA_Thermal_activation_vs_tunneling\/links\/5af9d649aca272e730289b6e\/Elementary-steps-for-charge-transport-in-DNA-Thermal-activation-vs-tunneling.pdf\">Yuri Berlin et al.<\/a>, for example, come to the conclusion that both classical hopping and quantum tunneling fulfil a role. They clearly state that \u201cfor short AT bridges, hole transfer between two G bases proceeds via quantum mechanical tunneling[, whereas] hopping over long bridges requires thermal activation.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"graf graf--h3\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h3-strong\">The Leading Dance of the\u00a0Small<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">In our natural habitat, \u201cquantum effects could be more significant than previously anticipated and deserves further study\u201d, insist <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/full\/10.1021\/acs.jpclett.6b00777\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/full\/10.1021\/acs.jpclett.6b00777\">Wei Fang et al.<\/a> And some scientists even believe that the next logical question within the field of quantum biology extends to whether these effects could be upscaled from molecules to macroscopic-sized organisms like <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/science\/quantum-theory-the-weird-world-of-teleportation-tardigrades-and-entanglement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/science\/quantum-theory-the-weird-world-of-teleportation-tardigrades-and-entanglement\/\">tardigrades<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"graf graf--pullquote\"><p>Whatever the case may be, quantum biology might well turn out to be a promising candidate that appreciably contributes to improving both the human condition and our planet\u2019s\u00a0health.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Having a more thorough grip on nature\u2019s trick within the light-harvesting component of photosynthesis could ultimately enhance our solar energy technologies. And obtaining a more comprehensive picture about the relevance of quantum processes in cells may help us to advance closer to a mastery of the development of cancer, myotonic dystrophy, neurofibromatosis or sickle cell anemia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">In the end, Erwin Schr\u00f6dinger may have been on to something when he said that \u201cwe must be prepared to find [living matter] working in a manner that cannot be reduced to the ordinary laws of physics.\u201d\u00b9<\/p>\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">Only when we fully grasp the pertinence of quantum physics to biology, will we also be better geared to appreciate how both the classical and quantum descriptions of life may tango together.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"section section--body\">\n<div class=\"section-content\">\n<div class=\"section-inner sectionLayout--insetColumn\">\n<p class=\"graf graf--p\">\u00b9 Schr\u00f6dinger, E. (1967). <em class=\"markup--em markup--p-em\">What Is Life?<\/em>, Cambridge University Press, pp.76.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/articles\/\">Back to Articles<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Scientific inquiry can be a lesson in humility. Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus taught us this in the sixteenth century when submitting the hypothesis that the Sun is sitting at the centre of the Solar System, not the Earth. Although we are limited by our own cognitive abilities, such humility can nevertheless open doors towards a broader [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":627,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[118,83],"tags":[53,16,54,51,33,56,55,74,28,50],"class_list":["post-625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-biology","category-quantum-biology","tag-biology","tag-coherence","tag-dna","tag-environment","tag-health","tag-nondualism","tag-photosynthesis","tag-quantum-biology","tag-quantum-physics","tag-science"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Are Biological Processes Experts in Quantum\u00a0Physics? 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Precisely for those reasons, what has irked many theoretical physicists for already several decades is the absence of the theory of quantum gravity,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Theoretical Physics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Theoretical Physics","link":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/category\/theoretical-physics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Quantum Gravity in the Making | A Circle Is Round","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/QuantumGravity.png?fit=1200%2C609&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/QuantumGravity.png?fit=1200%2C609&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/QuantumGravity.png?fit=1200%2C609&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/QuantumGravity.png?fit=1200%2C609&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/QuantumGravity.png?fit=1200%2C609&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":161,"url":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/2019\/10\/30\/making-the-european-union-whole-again\/","url_meta":{"origin":625,"position":2},"title":"Making the European Union Whole Again","author":"Olivier Loose","date":"oktober 30, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Some believe that a deeper integrated European Union (EU) would benefit us all, as we would strengthen our coordination on a broad range of policies within the EU. 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However, its theories do not currently form a satisfying whole. For example, the theory that describes the fundamental forces and building blocks of our physical world excludes gravity, and we do not comprehend how the Universe was born. As we naturally strive for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Theoretical Physics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Theoretical Physics","link":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/category\/theoretical-physics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"In Theory, Can We String the Universe Together?","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Strings.png?fit=1041%2C529&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Strings.png?fit=1041%2C529&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Strings.png?fit=1041%2C529&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Strings.png?fit=1041%2C529&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":730,"url":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/2020\/09\/02\/it-smells-quantastic-doesnt-it\/","url_meta":{"origin":625,"position":4},"title":"It Smells Quantastic, Doesn\u2019t It?","author":"Olivier Loose","date":"september 2, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Have you ever wondered how\u00a0we know\u00a0how\u00a0something smells? 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How was our Universe created? What were the initial conditions? Were there any conditions at all? Is our observable Universe just one patch of many in a much larger universe beyond our reach? Is our Universe unique? Did it pop out of nowhere? Will it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Cosmology&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Cosmology","link":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/category\/cosmology\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Quantum Origins","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/QuantumOrigins.png?fit=1200%2C609&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/QuantumOrigins.png?fit=1200%2C609&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/QuantumOrigins.png?fit=1200%2C609&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/QuantumOrigins.png?fit=1200%2C609&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acircleisround.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/QuantumOrigins.png?fit=1200%2C609&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=625"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1118,"href":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/625\/revisions\/1118"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acircleisround.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}